How to navigate the job-search process Find a Job! How to navigate the job-search process

When should you start? Applying for vacancies should be done three months prior to your availability Your job search foundation should begin much earlier Start networking as a freshman Get experience Find out what you want to do

Get More Information Complete self-assessments Conduct informational interviews Research occupations (http://www.bls.gov/oco) Use the CALS Career Services website Meet with a career counselor

Stay Organized Job searching can be a messy process Try to keep all your materials in one place Keep a job search notebook Use a spreadsheet for your contacts

Be Prepared Update your resume Know how to write a cover letter Have a nice suit Have a list of at least 3 references and let them know they may be contacted Have thank you cards and postage ready

Where are the jobs? 80% of jobs are filled through networking Despite the internet being a powerful job search tool, the vast majority of people do not find employment through online applications For more information, check out the networking PowerPoint in the Take 5 Section of our website

Using the Internet You can still use the internet to your advantage Looking through posted job openings can let you know what is available You may need to expand your network to include people connected with your preferred organizations

Some Job Search Websites ePACK Agcareers.com – Agriculture Jobs Hotjobs.com – Yahoo!’s Job Listings Monster.com Idealist.org – Non-profit organizations Sciencecareers.org www.usajobs.gov www.careerbuilder.com

Contact Your Contacts Get in touch with your contacts and let them know that you are actively searching for a job in a specific field Even if they don’t know of current positions, one may open up later

Develop an Action Plan The average job search takes 400 hours, that’s 10 weeks at 8 hrs/day Create daily action plans (ex. Make 4 appointments per day, contact 4 leads per day) Try a part-time job to increase your contacts

Consider Temping Temp work allows you to hone the skills you have and learn new ones Temp work pays Test a career before committing to it Many temp jobs lead to permanent positions

Use Career Services Remember that Career Services is here to help you with your job search while you are in school and after you graduate