Job Search Tips

Looking for jobs can seem daunting at first but through research, networking, and a firm grasp on reality you can find success! You might want to start by asking yourself the following questions:

Who am I and what do I bring to an organization?

What do I want to do for my next job? For my career?
What are my strengths and weaknesses? What skills do I have?
What am I really qualified to do at this point in my life?
Do I know the skills that employers are looking for? What am I doing to develop new skills?

What have I done to prepare for my job search?

What is my elevator pitch/Me in 30 seconds going to be?
Do I have all of the documents I need ready, especially a resume?
Do I have references?
Have I done a mock interview with the Career Center?
How do my Badger Handshake and LinkedIn accounts look?

Here are some tips to help you be successful in your next job search:

Do your research. Get to know everything you can about the industry or organization you are applying to and what the needs of the organization are (read the job posting carefully).
Prepare your materials and ‘me in 30 seconds pitch.’ Target and tailor your resume and cover letter for the specific position/organization you are interested in.
Network, get to know people at the industry and people in the organization you want to work for, if possible.
Practice your interview skills with friends, family, and the Career Center.
Keep records of your applications and notes for following up and maintain your network.
Have short and long term goals to help direct your efforts.
Always follow up quickly on your applications, reach out to the organization, make sure they received your resume, and find out when they are planning to start interviews.
Remember not to pester your contacts, be persistent without becoming a pest.

Where to Find Jobs

You can find postings for part-time on and off campus jobs through Badger Handshake by logging in to your BadgerWeb account and clicking on the student tab and then selecting the Career Services Online link.

Using Your Network

What is Networking?

Networking is a way to make contacts, build relationships, and ultimately help you develop your career. Keep in mind that networking goes both ways; be of assistance to everyone you know and not just the people you want things from. Giving help to others will create value with them and could eventually result in them referring business to you. If people know and trust you they are more likely to help you with your own goals.

Be flexible and generous in what you have to offer and always keep in mind what you want to accomplish, do your best to make networking a win/win situation.

Why should you Network?

Networking is a great tool to help you research possible major and career options because you get to talk to people in the fields you have interest in. Firsthand knowledge from people currently working in the field you are interested in can help you make good decisions now that will help accelerate your career growth later. Networking helps you find “hidden” jobs and gives you the chance to stand out from the competition.

Who should you Network with?

Snow College Career Center
Friends and Family
People in your class
People you work with
Professors
Members of clubs and organizations
Church or cultural affiliations
People who have the same interests as you
Your families professional contacts

Where and How should you Network?

The Snow College Career Center helps provide you with several opportunities to network with potential employers, these include:

On-Campus Recruiting Events
Career & Internship Expos
Career Development Day
Employer Visits
Federal & State Job Day
Business and Technology Speed Interview Day

Take the opportunity to talk to your professors before or after class, ask your fellow students about their career goals, and use Badger Handshake to look up employer contacts that are in industries that interest you. Talk to members of your family and the people who they work with, gather as much knowledge as you can about the career options that are out there for you. Also, don’t forget to use LinkedIn as a networking tool to help you reach out to fellow Snow College Alumni.

When reaching out to someone new be sure to keep your message short, asking them a few questions about themselves is a good place to start. When networking, ask questions such as:

What do you like/dislike about your job?
How did you end up in the field you are currently working in?
What major(s) are in demand in your industry?
What classes did you enjoy during your time at _______?
What can I do now to help me be an ideal candidate for your organization?

A Few Things to Remember About Networking:

Prepare a short statement about yourself and your goals: Who you are, what you do or would like to do, and what kinds of things you are looking for.
Use your existing contacts such as family, friends, and co-workers.
Be sure to network with people who work in the field you are interested in.
Show genuine interest in other people, their careers, and goals.
Don’t ask people for a job.
Don’t be selfish or abuse relationships that you have made, be willing to introduce the people you meet to others that you already know and don’t pester people for information.
Build and maintain the relationships you start by networking.

Following Up

Always follow up on your applications and continue to keep in touch with the contacts in your network. Following up shows you are committed and interested. Be sure to keep your follow ups simple and concise, don’t pester but be sure to show that you care. Remember to send thank you letters after an interview and be sure to let your contacts know that you appreciate their help in your job search process.