Topic of the Month- Starting Your Job Search
How do I start?
Whether you are looking for a job or an internship it is important to assess your skills and define your goals first. Searching through job opportunities won’t be effective unless you know who you are and what you are looking for.
Assess your skills: What activities are you good at? What skills do you enjoy using? What type of education and employment background do you have? Drafting a resume can help you to answer these questions.
Define your goals: What type of experience would you like to have? How would you like to develop your career? By answering these questions you will not only be able to market yourself better, but be able to make better decisions about the opportunities you find.
Where do I look for opportunities?
Job and internship opportunities can be found in a number of places and it is important that you not limit yourself to just one search tool. Opportunities can be found through:
- Internet databases such as www.careerphilly.com
- Job/Internship Fairs
- Local advertisements
- Networking with family, friends and former employers
- Career Services at an academic institution
- Contacting employers directly
How long will my job search take?
Conducting a job search is a full-time job itself. When looking for a full-time position the search can take three months or longer. It is important not to get discouraged if the process takes longer that you had expected. Finding a job requires making a match between you and the position. Many companies do not hire unless there is a position to be filled. Getting the perfect job often requires being in the right place at the right time. Patience and perseverance are both key to being successful.
How should I manage my time?
As mentioned before, a job search is like a full-time job. The best way to approach it is to start early. Set a daily schedule for yourself and stick to it. Sending out resumes and making phone calls early in the day will reflect well on you with potential employers. Avoid putting anything off. Your search will only move forward if you put in the time and effort.
How do I decide which employers to contact?
Information on specific companies can be found in business journals and online. A trip to the library and some time spent on the web reading about the industry that you’re interested in will give you ideas as to who you should contact. When job hunting, it is a good idea to read the business section of the newspaper as well. This will give you more ideas on which companies to contact and keep you informed about new developments in the business world, something that will be to your advantage when interviewing.
What do I need to do to apply for positions?
After you have identified which jobs you would like to apply for make sure that you know:
- The person to whom you should address your cover letter. This is often the head of the department to which you are applying or a human resources contact.
- Which documents are needed for your application. Some employers request a transcript and/or a writing sample in addition to your cover letter and resume.
- The deadline for application. Not every job opportunity will have a deadline, but don’t wait until the last minute if there is one. When emailing or submitting resumes online make sure that you give yourself enough time to handle technical difficulties should they arise.
Should I include my cell phone number on my resume?
You want your prospective employer to be able to get in contact with you, so provide them with as many ways of doing so as possible. Keep in mind, however, that your voicemail greeting and email address should be professional.
Should I call the employer after I’ve submitted my resume?
Yes. It is best to call the employer several days after submitting your resume to confirm that it has been received. Placing a phone call also emphasizes your interest in the position. Make sure that you follow up on all jobs you apply for in order to maximize your opportunities.
If I get an interview can I stop searching?
You should not stop or slow down your job search once you’ve scheduled an interview. In fact, it is a good idea to submit your resume and place phone calls to other companies right after scheduling an interview because your confidence level will be high. Landing an interview is only step one in finding a job match. Don’t lose any time by slowing down your search.
How can I use CareerPhilly to aid my job search?
CareerPhilly can help you in your job search in several ways. By creating an account on CareerPhilly’s website you can search job listings in the Philadelphia region and allow employers to search for your resume as well. In addition, CareerPhilly hosts several job and internship fairs each year. Other CareerPhilly resources include business news updates, employment event announcements, and information on featured employers.
Archive
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The Weaknesses Question During an Interview
- Dress
for Success
- Negotiating
Salary
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- Internship
/ Job Fairs
- Resume
Writing
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Your First Job
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