Job Search Tips

16 Search Tips

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• Tip #1: You should be able to answer to these three questions:

  • Do I have a clear vision of what I want to do when I graduate? Your vision for your life after college should be something you truly believe will give your life significance and meaning. Aim as high as you believe you can go. If you aim too low, you might find the challenge insufficient and the achievement too shallow. If you aim too high, you may have difficulty hitting your target. To develop your vision, you need to decide what types of positions, environments and achievements will allow you to be the best you can be.

  • Do I have a plan for how I'm going to achieve this vision? Without a plan, you'll undoubtedly fall into the procrastination trap and end up with that dreaded "senior panic." Your plan doesn't need great detail at first, but it should give you some focus even though it might offer answers only to the "what" and the "when" early on. The "how" can be worked out in steps as your senior year unfolds.

  • Do I know what unique skills I have to offer as a new graduate? Contemplating what your education has given you and what skills of professional value you have developed are essential steps in planning for a successful career. This is a process that many people overlook, but it is the foundation of every successful career search. The fact that it is often overlooked explains why so many people end up in careers that are frustrating and unsatisfying.

  If you are having trouble answering these three questions, make an appointment with us. We can help you add structure to your career-searching process, develop a timeline, and create realistic tasks that you can accomplish step-by-step.

• Tip #2: Avoid the New Graduate "Catch 22"

  Many desirable job openings for new graduates will indicate "experience required," but how do you avoid the ever-problematic "catch 22" situation when you have the qualifications but you don't have professional experience?

  • Understand how to interpret the word "experience." What do employers really mean? "Experience" doesn't have to be full-time paid experience. It can include a combination of academic, research, volunteer, internship, leadership, extracurricular, and full- and part-time work experience. Remember that job descriptions always describe the ideal candidate, and that ideal person seldom exists. The candidate who gets hired is the one who meets the bottom line requirements and shows the greatest potential for being a good match with the organization and the position.

  • Realize that the bottom line for companies is to hire people with the key skills needed to do the job they want done. You need to know what these key skills are. Someone who can talk effectively about his or her skills and provide proof of these skills (give specific examples of past successes) will always outshine someone who has the experience on paper but can't "sell" themselves. Your job is to understand what skills are desired (through interpreting the job description and industry research) and show how your past achievements and successes predict your future success in the areas desired by the organization.

  • You need to be strategically aware of how your skills match employer's needs. Develop a comprehensive list of your skills by analyzing all past experiences. Developing a list of your skills is not always easy, as most of us don't have any experience thinking about our abilities in a structured way. Several resources can help you get started. The list of active verbs in the Resume Handbook and the skills assessment chapter in What Color is Your Parachute (available in the CCP library) provide guidelines for creating a personal skills list. If you'd like a jump-start, Career Center staff members are also happy to give you assistance with this important process.

  • Make sure your resumes and cover letters highlight these skills and learn how to discuss and give examples of your skills as you prepare for interviews. Any marketing materials you produce as part of your job search (such as your resume and cover letter) need to include clear evidence of your skills. This is not accomplished by simply listing job duties and responsibilities for your various experiences. Future tips will give you specific guidelines about how to create really effective materials for your job search.

• Tip #3: Guidelines for Creating an Effective Resume

  • Get the employer's attention through a skill summary at the beginning of your resume. The easiest way to get an employer's attention is through including a summary of your objectives and skills at the beginning of your resume. Using key words drawn from your research about the job type or from the actual job announcements is best, while stating a variety of skills unrelated to the position will detract from your value.

  • Clearly state your skills and support your claims with facts. Write your experience descriptions using skill and achievement words. Describing a specific incident, event, work experience, or project will show concrete evidence that you have a specific skill. Fancy language may appear engaging, but does not take the place of facts. Using concrete examples in your resume will also help prepare you for your interview.

  • Provide examples of quantifiable results. Avoid generalities or broad statements. Use numbers, percentages, specific outcomes or descriptions of a process whenever possible. Stating that you produced "extremely positive results" or that you "greatly improved performance" is vague. You need to include: by what measurement, in what time frame, and compared to what, etc.

  • Create a good flow and avoid redundancy. The flow of your information should be logical and compel the reader to continue reading. It should also appear in order of relevance to the position. Bouncing from idea to idea without a natural progression will lose the reader's attention. Grouping similar work examples or related outcomes is easier for the reader to follow. When you re-state in the body of your resume the skills that you have listed in your summary, make sure you expand the information by attaching them to a result, outcome, or specific event, rather than simply re-stating them.

  • Make your resume reader-friendly. If you are interested in making information stand out, using white space is always most effective. Start with no less than ¾ inch margin around the border of your resume, allowing the reader to focus on the center. Use white space to make headings and titles stand out. You may also use underlining, boldface, and italics within your text entries to make reading easier, but do so consistently and sparingly.

  Examples of all these techniques (and much more) can be found in our Resumes section. Bring a rough draft of your resume to the Center for Career Planning and we can help you polish it, so that it provides the best possible picture of you.

• Tip #4: Use the school breaks to jumpstart your job search.

  Here are some suggestions for ways to start preparing for your job search during some of your "down time". You can receive assistance from the CCP with all these activities (except #8).

  1. Call several professionals in your field to ask for an information interview. Make a list of questions that will help you gain an "insider view" into the profession and make sure to ask for advice and other contact names. If you don't know anyone to contact, check with the CCP for names of alumni in your field.
  2. Finalize your resume and let several people look at it and critique it for you.
  3. Start a job search folder or notebook of job-related information: research notes, employer literature, skills lists, job leads, professional contacts, other networking contacts, etc.
  4. Develop a list of target employers by using directories in the CCP library and Internet resources. The list should include employers in the geographic area you are interested in who might hire someone with your background. Do Internet searches on each of them to find out as much as you can about each company or organization and keep these in your job search notebook. These are companies that you can approach when you start your job search to uncover hidden (or un-advertised) jobs.
  5. Start collecting "artifacts" for your interview portfolio (link to Interview Portfolios under Career Tools) that illustrate your skills and achievements. Talk to a CCP staff member or check out books about portfolio development from the CCP library and start collecting "artifacts" that provide evidence of your work and learning, both academic and in work, volunteer or internship experiences.
  6. Sign up for the Cardinal Network Luncheon (Link to the Cardinal Career Network under Alumni). Call the Career Center at 614-823-1456 or respond to the email registration. The luncheon takes place in January.
  7. If you could use some extra help with your job search and need a few extra credits, sign up for BADM 380: Managing the Transition to the Workforce. This spring quarter course is open to all juniors and seniors. It is an in-depth career and life planning and job search preparation course.
  8. Ask for an interview suit for Christmas.

• Tip #5: How to get the most out of a job fair

  The largest local career fair, CareerFest, takes place every February. A hundred or more major employers in one location is a good thing! You've got multiple copies of your resume, you've practiced your handshake to make sure it is firm, and your interview outfit is pressed. Now what? Here are a few pointers gleaned from recruiters who attend career fairs.

  • Take time before the career fair to find out which companies will be represented there. Check out the web site and pick up an employer booklet before the fair if available to learn about these companies. Nothing ticks off an employer more than a student who approaches them at their table and says, "So, tell me about your company." It's okay to ask pertinent questions, but don't expect the recruiters to do the work for you.

  • Have a game plan and focus on no more than three or four companies you are truly interested in. Do a little research so that you have an intelligent comment or question about the company you are approaching. When you engage a recruiter in intelligent dialogue, you stand out. You have limited time at the career fair, so use it wisely.

  • Prepare a two- to three-line script (your "elevator speech" (link to Your “Elevator Speech” under Career Tools) to introduce yourself. You should try to impress recruiters within the first few minutes of conversation. Maintain good eye contact and offer a firm handshake and a few sentences telling them what they want to know. That's the formula that works.

  • Don't ask the recruiter personal questions, focus on the company. Such personal questions sound frivolous.

  • When you give a recruiter your resume, ask what the next step in the process is. Recruiters worth their weight will be able to tell you. Still, don't be surprised if recruiters don't hand out their personal business cards.

• Tip #6: Develop a Job Fair "Elevator Speech"

  You step into the hubbub of the career fair, take a deep breath, and make your way toward a representative from the top company on your personal list. This is the company you may want to work for, and the woman you are approaching is the first gatekeeper. You make eye contact, smile, and say "hi." You've practiced a firm handshake. And then . . . you're on. Click here to see what happens next.

• Tip #7: Avoid these job search mistakes

  Gone are the days when the job market is overflowing with openings. The competition can be tough and companies can afford to be very selective. But there really are jobs out there for new college graduates who know how to find them, and you owe it to yourself not to fall into some of the common traps that can keep you from rising above the competition. Here are some of the most common pitfalls:

  • Lack of focus. Adopting the attitude, "I'll take anything I can find," is a sure recipe for failure. Employers want people who know what they want and why they are qualified. The number one complaint employers have about new job seekers is that they are unable to discuss their career goals. So if you are not sure about what kind of job you want, make sure to talk to someone in the CCP. We can help you focus and create a job search plan.
  • The shotgun approach. Are you the type of job seeker who plans to distribute your resume to as many companies as you can and hope one ends up in the active file? Or does your job search plan consist of uploading your resume on as many job sites as possible? Neither of these methods has better than a 5% chance of success. A much better approach is to do a targeted search, using as many networking contacts as possible, and crafting a resume that puts forth your strongest points as they relate to the particular needs of each position.
  • Poor networking skills. You have heard the phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." This is especially true in the jobseeker's world, since networking has been proven to be the most effective job search method. This does not mean that you need to know the person who can hire you. It means that you know how to "prospect" for leads, contact names, and information that can facilitate your search. Don't know where to start? Check out the Networking (link to Networking under Job Searching) section on this site.
  • Lack of preparation. Many people who can't snag a job lose out because they don't prepare adequately. Researching companies, preparing for interviews, analyzing your skills and preparing targeted job materials all take time. In fact, looking for a job can be a full-time job. However, doing some preparatory work up front pays the most important dividend - employment.
  • The wrong attitude. Where a job search is concerned, attitude is everything. Think of the search as an educational adventure rather than an obstacle to overcome. Realize that each "no" is one step closer to the "yes." Believe in yourself and understand clearly what you have to offer instead of focusing on your lack of experience. Most of all, remember that determination and patience are two of the most important traits for any job seeker.

• Tip #8: Common interview mistakes

  When interviews are not successful, it is probably for one of the following reasons:

  • You haven't done any solid research on the organization and/or the job before the interview.
  • You are not clear about what skills and experience you have to offer related to the position, and have not mentally prepared a list of major strengths you want to stress during the interview.
  • You have adopted a self-centered approach (how the job will benefit you) rather than an employer-centered approach (what you can give to the position and the employer).
  • You have not prepared ahead of time by practicing the responses to anticipated, typical questions. Any experienced interviewer can tell the difference between someone who is prepared and someone who is "winging it."
  • You have given vague, general answers rather than focusing on specifics and providing concrete examples.
  • You have not sent a thank-you note right after the interview.

• Tip #9: Quick tips for creating a good impression

  • Dress and groom like the interviewer - or a few steps up! Dressing professionally shows you are taking the interview seriously, even if the work environment is more casual. If you are unsure what is appropriate, get help selecting an interview outfit from someone who has experience with professional attire or ask someone at the company about appropriate attire before your interview. Pay close attention to all grooming details. Little things count.
  • Be early, but not too early. About five minutes early for every interview is perfect. If you arrive too early, sit in your car in the parking lot until the right time. If you are running late because of a last minute emergency, be sure to call to explain.
  • Mentally prepare. Before your interview, mentally visualize yourself in the waiting room, imagine the interviewer approaching you, and see yourself extending your hand and communicating easily. Tell yourself, "I am a terrific candidate for this job." See yourself performing with poise and confidence.
  • Treat the receptionist with respect. Assume that anything you say will be reported to the interviewer. Receptionists and other assistants have more power than you think!
  • Make all correspondence neat and error free. Be sure your resume, letters, thank-you notes, and other correspondence are perfect. Errors in your correspondence send the message that you are careless, don't notice details, or are ignorant about the proper grammar or spelling.
  • Make small talk. The first few minutes of an interview are often informal. This is when the interviewer can judge your ability to socialize. Comment positively on something you notice in the interviewer's office, discuss the weather or traffic, or the headlines in the morning newspaper---be prepared!
  • Do your homework. Read up on the company and the job you are applying for.

• Tip #10: Three keys to inspiring your listeners in an interview

  Communication is the most important skill for any job candidate to master. Being a good communicator during an interview means inspiring your listener by speaking with passion, clarity, and conciseness.

  • Passion
    No one wants to hire someone who is lukewarm or halfhearted about the company's values, product, or service. Spend time truly identifying what fires you up about working for a particular company or organization, because you want your enthusiasm to come across as genuine. Even if you don't have a naturally bubbly personality, you can find ways to show genuine interest and positive energy.

  • Clarity
    If you can't explain yourself clearly, you'll have a problem in an interview. Practice answering interview questions in a way that is as clear as possible. Rambling on and on, or hiding behind jargon is a clear sign that you are either trying too hard or don't know what you are talking about. It is always essential to have a few "stories" to illustrate your comments, with special emphasis on your successes and what you learned from your failures.

  • Conciseness
    Even though you don't want to speak in short sound-bites, you should work at keeping your answers brief yet thorough. Practice can help you find ways to take a three-minute answer to 45 seconds without losing any important content. Using the S.T.A.R. method of organizing your answers can be a big help. (See Tip #11). Remember that lifeless, convoluted and verbose doesn't make it. The candidate who is passionate, clear, and concise is the one who gets the job.

• Tip #11: Conquer interviews by using the S.T.A.R. method

  BBI (behavior-based interview) questions are becoming more and more common. These questions ask you to provide concrete examples of past experiences. The point of these questions is to determine how past behaviors might predict future performance. An example of a BBI question is: "Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion that improved the way a job process or operation worked." When answering these questions, you need a specific answer structure to help you keep on track and make sure you include all important points. The S.T.A.R. method is a structured way of answering behavioral questions. The letters stand for situation, task, action, result.

  • Situation. Describe the situation you are using as an example. You must describe a specific event, not a generalized description of what you have done in the past. Give enough detail make the situation clear, but be as concise as possible. The situation can be from a previous job, an academic situation, a volunteer experience, or any other relevant event.

  • Task. Describe the task at hand----what did you need to do? What constraints or challenges did you face?

  • Action. Describe exactly what you did. Keep the focus on you. Even it you are discussing a group project or effort, describe your role, not the efforts of the team. Be specific about the tasks you completed and how you decided on the plan of action.

  • Results. What happened as a result of your actions? How did the event end? Summarize the effectiveness of your actions. What did you accomplish? What did you learn that you can apply in the future?

• Tip #12: Dressing for the Interview by Industry

  In every interview you're going to be judged partly by how you look. But how you need to look varies depending on your industry and the job you are interviewing for.

  • Technology
    If you are applying for a technical position, a suit is usually not necessary. A collared shirt and khakis or slacks would work. For women, a sweater or blouse and slacks or a skirt are acceptable. But upgrade to a suit if you are interviewing for a higher level job.

  • Finance
    Nothing is more precise and exact than managing money. You cannot afford to have a hair out of place. Full business professional attire is required and expected - typically a navy blue or charcoal suit. For women the finance uniform includes a skirt suit (in some cases a pant suit is acceptable) in black or navy, and a pastel or white dress shirt.

  • Government
    A conservatively colored suit is best - don't be flashy. You should show that you are responsible, trustworthy and honest. A bit of color is o.k., but be conservative overall.

  • Sales
    Typically a suit is the uniform for a sales interview. The product or service you would be representing determines how classic vs. trendy you should be.

  • Human Resources
    A suit is the best choice. You should look professional and authoritative and able to handle any crisis.

  • Hospitality
    Image is particularly critical in the hospitality industry. You don't necessarily need to wear a suit, but you definitely need to make a great initial impression.

  Of course, one industry's excess is another industry's underdressed. So make sure you research the field to find out what standard dress is in the particular corporate culture. If you are still unsure, don't be afraid to ask the person who schedules your interview about appropriate dress, because no matter what, your "packaging" counts.

• Tip #13: What to do when they ask for salary requirements

  • First, do your personal homework. Know what your bottom line is. Create a monthly budget to determine a realistic gross income to cover your basics such as rent, car payments, utilities, loan repayments, food, etc. and still leave a little extra.
  • Do some research. Check salary surveys on-line to determine typical ranges in your field for the type of jobs you will be applying for. Ask people during informational interviews about current salary ranges for your job level. Make sure the salaries reflect the appropriate geographic area since salaries vary greatly depending on location.
  • In an interview, reverse the issue if possible by asking what the salary range is for the job in question. For example, if asked for your desired salary, say "Most of my peers who have the same background are receiving in the $25,000 to $30,000 range. What range is authorized for this position?"
  • If you must give an answer in a cover letter or interview, always give a range: the upper twenties, the lower thirties, from $35,000 to $40,000.
  • If you think you deserve more than the average salary because of unique abilities or especially good training received in an internship, say so and be able to explain why.

• Tip #14: Following Up After Your Interview

  Never walk away from an interview thinking it is all over. Your follow-up may be the tie-breaker that gets you the job. Follow up vigorously to show that you care!
  

  • E-mail
    Use e-mail when you hope to start or continue a dialogue with the interviewer or when quick action matters when you are worried that the job could be filled while you're waiting for mail to be delivered. Use e-mail if that's the way you sent your resume because that is the employer's preferred mode of communication. And use e-mail if you are dealing with a high tech firm.

  • Letters
    Write a thank-you letter for the interview within 24 hours of the interview to strengthen the good impression you made in the interview. (You can do this in addition to a quick e-mail thank-you.) Nothing is as impressive as a gracious hand-written thank-you. You need not stop with one letter if it is taking the company a long time to make a decision. In subsequent letters, try to include additional information, ideas or a relevant article. The interviewer will know what's going on, but at least you are keeping your name in front of him or her. If your hand writing is illegible, you can type it.

  • Telephone Calls
    In today's busy work world, calling back too often can jeopardize your opportunity for the job. At the end of the interview, ask if you may make a follow-up call, and when a good time would be. From then on, twice a month is about right. If you need to leave a voice message, try to add a short sound-bite to create interest. This might be something you forgot to mention during the interview, mentioning a shared interest that would benefit the employer, or suggesting an answer to a problem was discussed in the interview.

• Tip #15: Don't Let Rejections Get You Down

  Here is one of the basic principles of job hunting: it takes a big pile of no's to get a yes. Most interviews (all but the final one) will result in rejections. Sure, you can avoid rejections by not submitting any applications or resumes or deciding not to work, but for most of us, rejections are simply unavoidable. To minimize rejection, however, here are some tips.

  • First, know what you want to do. If you merely "go shopping" for jobs to see what's out there, the chances are slim that you'll find an organization looking for someone just like you. Instead, make a list of things you want to do and ask professionals who are doing those things, "In what places are these activities most often done?" In short, targeting your job search is a good way to minimize rejection.
  • Second, treat any interview as a treasured gift. Few people get interviews. Research the companies thoroughly, rehearse answers to typical questions, dress appropriately, and follow up with a perfectly written thank-you.
  • Third, keep a positive attitude. Remember, rejection happens to everyone else too. Form a mental picture of the positive self you'd like to become in an interview rather than focusing on what scares you. Being rejected doesn't mean you are a failure, it means the fit wasn't right. The right job is still out there, maybe only a few "no's" away.

• Tip #16: Professional Success in Your First Job

  Landing your first job is a major challenge and a significant accomplishment. Getting the job, however, is only the first step towards success. The new challenge is even more daunting---learning the job, succeeding at it, and eventually, making an impact.

  • One of the first things to do on a new job is observe and analyze your company's culture. Is there a well-defined chain of command? Does your supervisor encourage spontaneous, face-to-face discussions or prefer more structured, regularly scheduled meetings? Is the dress code formal or business casual? The more quickly you adapt to the company culture, the more rapidly you're likely to advance.
  • Make it a priority to find out who the "stars" are and model their approach. Adopt those traits that will help you do your job better. Tap into the grapevine occasionally, but don't contribute to it.
  • Devote most of your energy to mastering your job and look for ways to improve your performance. Keep in mind that the impression you make during the initial weeks on the job will be the one that lasts the longest in the eyes of management.
  • Come early and leave late if needed. Take on assignments cheerfully and cooperate with your co-workers. At the same time, don't put undo pressure on yourself; set a realistic pace. Don't expect to be as competent as a seasoned professional in a few months or even a few years.
  • To shorten your learning curve, establish an on-going dialogue with your supervisor. Get in the habit of developing a to-do list each week. Set goals and keep an activity log. Your boss wants to see how you manage your time when there's a lull as well as when a deadline is pending. Also, create a personal "personnel file" for yourself to document the contributions you make and projects you complete.

  It can take anywhere from six weeks to six months for a new employee to feel comfortable. There are bound to be days when you feel overwhelmed, but try to keep things in perspective.