Before You Begin Know yourself  Many job seekers make the mistake of not focusing their career goals  Makes job search overwhelming  Identify your personal strengths, interests, skills, and values  List possible job titles and fields of interest  Sales, PR, Social Work, Research, Writing, etc.

Before You Begin Know where you want to work  Research companies and organizations  Research potential career fields  Know typical entry-level jobs, salaries, etc.  Think about location  Identify potential employers who you would like to work for

Preparing for Your Job Search  Target your resume to a specific field or position  Put together work samples  Practice interviewing and speaking about your liberal arts skills and professional experience  Buy a professional suit  Have a professional voic message

Preparing for Your Job Search  Update your facebook and myspace profiles  Have a professional address  Learn how to network and do an informational interview  Develop a job search plan using multiple job searching strategies

How People Find Jobs Networking and Direct Contact70% Internet10% Want Ads 5% Other Methods15%

Job Search Strategy #1 Participate in campus programs and events  Job Fairs and Events  Government Job Fair (Fall)  Business Etiquette Dinner (November)  Minnesota Private College Job and Internship Fair (February)  Alumni Networking Event (February)  Pathways for Careers (March)  Idealist Job Fair – Nonprofits (March)  Education Job Fair (April)  Other Events  Employer Tables in the Christensen Center  Employer Panels

Job Search Strategy #2 Apply for jobs that are posted  General Job Posting Websites  Augpost, LandIt, JobPost, St. Thomas  Specialized Posting Sites  Idealist:  Minnesota Council of Non-profits:  EdPost:

Job Search Strategy #2 Apply for jobs that are posted  Employer Websites  Megasites  Monster:  Career Builder:  Newspapers or Want Ads  

Finding postings using the Wiki

Application Questions  Do I need to fill out each section if I already have that information on my resume?  What do I put down for my reason for leaving?  What about the salary expectations section?  Who should I put down as references?  Others???

Job Search Strategy #3 Target employers you are interested in  Direct employer contact  Directories  Minnesota Nonprofit Directory  United Way: Directory of Community Services  Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Book of Lists  The Gold Book  On the wiki:

Job Search Strategy #4 NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!!!

What is Networking?  involves connecting with those who work in a field you are wanting to learn more about or break into  is the most effective way to learn about job positions and obtain job positions  does NOT involve asking for a job

Advantages of Networking  helps you learn about an employer, career field, or specific job positions  can find unadvertised job positions  does not feel as competitive  employers like to hire using direct contacts  opens your doors and creates opportunities

Informational Interviews  are a great way to begin to network, build connections, and gain insight into a career  set up times to talk with people and “interview” them about their jobs and/or their employers  follow up after the interview and continue to keep in touch

How Do You Network?  talk to everyone about your job search or career path  request informational interviews  find a connection/conversation starter with people you want to network with  follow up with contacts you have made and keep your network active

Who Do You Network With?  friends and family  Augsburg faculty and staff  work contacts  internship connections  professional associations

Social Networking  Linkedin   complete a descriptive profile  search for connections for informational interview  get company information and connections  Facebook  become a fan of company profiles  check the profile for news and information

Success Stories and Practice