JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES Career Services
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JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES
Career Services
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Self AssessmentResearch & ExplorationPrepare Materials & Develop Job
Search SkillsNetworkingConduct Job Search
Self Assessment
Identify your:1. Values2. Interests3. Skills4. Accomplishments5. Experiences6. Goals
Research & Exploration
Conduct Informational Interviews Professional Associations Professors Professionals in the field
Research the job market: Where are the jobs? Who is hiring? What career fields are in demand? What are the qualifications needed (certificates,
education, etc)
**Begin to target potential employers
Research Online ResourcesOccupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/oco/home.html
JobWeb:www.jobweb.com Career Library section has extensive listings under “General
References” to assist in employer research
MyPerfectGig A unique application that links Engineering and Technology
companies' job requisitions and needs to your skills and availability. Provides in depth and real-time industry information on employment demand.
Career Services:www.fit.edu/careerCurrent lists of employers for each discipline locally and nationally
Preparation & Materials
Resume, Cover Letter, transcripts, etc Targeted to position & industry
References Past employers Professors/Instructors Volunteer Associations
Interview skills Participate in mock interviews if possible. Practice answering interview questions.
Marketing Preparation
Develop Marketing & Conversational skills Networking, presentations, interviews, etc
Professional interview attire (Eventually Career) Suit, slacks, shoes, accessories, etc Prepare for several options since you might
have second & third interviews
Professional voice mail/email service and professional sounding messages and nicknames.
Networking
Develop a career network:(The “hidden” job market)
Assess your current network and that of your parents, relatives, friends. Include a list of whom each of them know.
Tell everyone you know that you are conducting a job search and ask for their assistance.
Networking Contacts
Sources of Contacts:Professors, administrators, graduate
students, or alumni.Supervisors from any previous jobs
including internships or part-time jobs.
Members of professional associations.Friends, relatives, or contacts from
community.
Effective Networking
Making new contacts or cold calling: Contact by phone or email first. Be sure to mention mutual acquaintances early on.
Prepare a script of what you are going to sayin advance (if on the phone). Proofread email messages and be sure to use proper spellingand grammar.
Successful contact Be prepared to concisely discuss your qualifications and what you expect
from this contact.
Try to schedule a personal meeting or informational interview.
Reassure the contact that you will only need 20 or 30 minutes of their time.
Effective Networking
Do not ask for a job during the firstconversation. Ask for career information and advice in your job search.
Manners go a long way. No way to get around “Please, thank you, I appreciate, it was
so nice of you”
Always follow up on successful contacts Be sure to thank them for their assistance.
Plan and Conduct Job Search
Commit a considerable amount of time • A job search can be thought of as a full-
time job in itself.
Start the process early• Especially research and preparation. Do
not wait until the last semester before graduation to begin the process.
Plan and Conduct Job Search
Job Search Tracking • Spreadsheet or binder with all your job
search correspondence, notes, list of network contacts and applications, notes on when to follow up on applications, a calendar of important dates, etc.
**Refer to it frequently and follow up on anything that you need to take care of.
Conduct Job Search
Pursue advertised vacancies College Central Network Popular job listing websites such as Career
Builder, Monster Employer websites Professional association websites Classified ads – most are online
www.fit.edu/career/jobcenter/generall_inks.html
***Do not blindly submit resumes, make the connection***
Plan and Conduct Job Search
Improve your chancesTarget your resume to the job
description.
Personalize your response as much as possible.
Follow up with hiring manager if possible.
Conduct Job Search
Finding the “hidden” jobs:Utilize your career network contacts.
If you started that process early, they should know you well by the time you need to start applying for jobs.
Get pass the Gatekeeper and follow up with hiring managers when possible.
Maximizing Online Resources Realize that most employers, especially large
ones, will only accept resumes through online systems.
Target your resume to their system and the openings they have available.
Use online job listing sites to post your resume but also to learn who is hiring. Applying directly to the company is preferred.
**Do not get stuck in this trap: avoiding employers with a difficult recruitment process
Maximizing Online Resources
Protecting Privacy: Be careful of posting your resume and
personal information on job posting sites before reading their site’s privacy policy.
Never give out your Social Security Number or any financial information on third party job posting site.
Protecting your References Privacy
• Only disclose reference information when specifically requested by hiring employer
• This will allow you the opportunity to give your references a heads up when applying to positions
Final Advice
Be persistent A successful job search takes a lot of hard
work and time. Take control of your job searchYou are the one ultimately responsible for
your job search.Be flexible! Do not create your own obstacles by
developing job search goals that cannot be met.
Stay positive! A positive attitude is a must.
Career Services
Part-time and full-time job postings – College Central Network
Internships & Co-opFederal Work-studyFlorida Work Experience ProgramWorkshopsResume & cover letter critiquesCareer Fair & Employer DayMock interviews
321.674.8102 www.fit.edu/career Keuper Bldg Room 210
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