Finding a Job

Anyone who has ever looked for a job—and that’s just about everyone—knows looking for a job is one of the hardest jobs out there. The truth is, it’s a full-time job in and of itself. So treat it like one! Put time into it every day. Use all of the seemingly endless resources you have, from websites to television channels devoted to job postings. Don’t overlook networking—some people cringe at asking for help, but we all started somewhere. One of the most important resources may be your relationships with professors, past employers or friends who work in the industry in which you’d like to work. And above all, don’t forget to make time for things you like to do, too.

Great places to search:

• National online sites such as Monster and CareerBuilder
• Local online sites, such as your local newspaper or TV station’s website
• The want ads in your local newspaper, either online or in print
• Word of mouth—talk to friends, family, past or present co-workers and acquaintances
• Join a professional organization and start networking

Résumé tips:

• Keep it professional, but add something interesting about yourself to let your personality come through, for example, your interest in Southeast Asian travel or your mastery of French.
• Use active words to describe your accomplishments and proficiencies and whenever possible, qualify your accomplishments with concrete measures of success.
• Pay attention to formatting to ensure that your resume looks neat and organized and is easily skimmable. Choose a font that is easy to read (no wild handwriting fonts, please), concise and attractive.
• Keep it to one page especially if you are entry level. Later, you may want to expand the length as you gain experience.
• Proofread more than once and ask a friend or colleague to proofread it too—your résumé is no place for spelling or grammatical errors.
• Always include a cover letter. Always.

Interview tips:

Be the best possible you, but always be yourself. You’ll want to put your best foot forward, but you also want to be sure you’re a good fit with the organization. 

• Try to relax. Remember, you’re there to decide whether the job’s right for you every bit as much as the employer is there to determine whether you’re right for the job. Everyone starts somewhere, and somewhere, there is the perfect job, just waiting for you.
• Maintain eye contact. This lets your potential employer know you are confident and interested in what they have to say. People who maintain good eye contact are viewed as more trustworthy, too.
• Do your best to answer all the questions. Sometimes it’s hard to come up with answers on the spur of the moment, but some interview questions are designed just to get you talking and to find out if you can “think on your feet.” Search online for common interview questions; formulate your answers before your interview and practice.
• Always do your homework. You should prepare for every interview by researching both the organization and the industry you’re considering. Think of at least three intelligent and interesting questions to ask your interviewer—they’ll be impressed by your interest and enthusiasm.
• Never turn down an interview. Unless you are absolutely 100% certain you would not take the job under any circumstances, interview anytime you’re invited. Practice makes perfect.
• Write a thank- you note. They not only show respect for the time you were given, but also to remind your potential employer of your meeting. It’s helpful to ask each person you meet with at your interview for a business card. That way, you’ll get their names right.
• Don’t get discouraged. Not everyone leaves school knowing exactly what they want to do. Explore endlessly—sometimes it just takes time to find the right fit.