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How to Do a Job Search Should's and Should Not's

You ShouldFirst, know what career you want pursue!If you dont know-do interest inventoriesCompass, My Next Move and StrongUse the Mentor NetworkDo an internship or post graduate internshipMake sure you pursue a career you are interested inMake sure you use ALL services available

You ShouldVisit your college's Career Center and USE THEIR SERVICES!

Services at the Career CenterCareer Advising Choosing a Major and Minor Exploring What You Can do With Various Majors? Career Resource Library Resume Reviews on a walk-in basis On-Campus Student Job Listings Internships Assistance Career Positions after GraduationWorkshops

Additional ServicesOn-Campus Corporate Recruiting Online Database of Employers & Job Openings-eRecruiting Job Alerts DatabasesGraduate School Information & Assistance Job Fairs Network of Alumni Mentors Career Planning Class

You ShouldTo summarize, use all job search resources that are available in Career Services including:-Career Services database of employers-Career Services job-alerts database-Career Services job fairs -Career Services jobs by major websites -Career Services on-campus interviews -Career Services employer info sessions -Career Services workshops- Career Services mock interviews-Career Services LinkedIn-Career Services Facebook

You ShouldResearch employers you want to work forUse LinkedIn and professional networks.Use any or all resources listed aboveCreate a professional resumeCreate a well-polished cover letterCreate a portfolio if relevant(typically education, art, graphic design, etc.)Line up your references

You ShouldNETWORK-NETWORK-NETWORK! Talk to people friends, family, professors, employment agencies, outsourcing companies, professionals in your field. If no one knows you are looking then no one will think of helping you.Use the Mentor NetworkPractice your interviewingStudy for your interviewResearch the companyGo over questions especially behavioralGet those resumes out there!

Should NotsRely on others to do the work for you Rely on any one person there is no reason for you to work with only one employment agency, rely on a single friend, etc. The more people who can help you, the greater your chances are of finding work.Send your resume out randomly and to the wrong people why would a law company be interested in hiring a programmer?Narrow your search so much that you ignore all the other attractive options out thereNever follow up always call or email a follow-up immediately. Call 5 times a day dont be a pest- people are busy

THE END-the BEGINNING for YOU!His Advice-Dont give up!The above stated search tips were from 1 job seeker, who had 5 job offers in 12 months

To go or not to go?Graduate SchoolWill earnings and satisfaction go up?Is there nothing else to do?What is the cost?Do you have specific career goals?

Facts!The number of Americans with at least some college, including undergrad and grad school, rose 11% since 2008 to 121 million in 2013. Wall Street Journal, Feb. 2014

Why Work First? Why Not Work First?Recharge your batteriesDevelop confidenceInvestigate a fieldSometimes hard to re-enter fieldIf you know what field it makes sense-more money, prestige, etc.

How Do I Decide To Go Or Not To Go?Related work experience in your field. Practical experience-internships, undergraduate research and volunteering.Experience will enhance your application making you a more viable, competitive candidate.

Choosing a SchoolWill prestige help? Does Department emphasize what you want?Do they have practicum/internships with organizations that you are interested in?Investigate: attrition rate, average time to completion, your teaching requirements, language requirements, placement rates

Do You Know What Program?If you know the field you are going into and if an advanced degree is required for entry then grad school makes perfect senseFor most it is not clearcut. If you are not sureof your career goals Dont go until you are.

Choosing the Right ProgramAcademic Vs. ProfessionalAcademic focus on original researchProfessional focus on practical applications Masters Vs. DoctoratesMasters= take 1-3 years to earnDoctorates= can take up to 8 years!For many fields the Masters may be sufficient. For others the doctorate is necessary (Doctor of Medicine, Juris Doctoretc)

How to Find the Right School?Look at Directories for Grad SchoolsVisit the schools, meet with faculty or other grad studentsEvaluateQuality of the facultyPrestige of the schoolCost and housingJob OpportunitiesRead the catalogConsult with facultyTalk with alumniVisit Speak to current students

How much does graduate school cost and how do I finance it? Tuition scholarships or waiversAssistantshipsResearch AssistantshipsFellowships-Support from outside the university comes from fellowships offered by federal agencies and foundations and are largely reserved for students seeking the doctoral degree.Loans

Admission CriteriaUndergraduate GPA in majorRecommendation from known facultyUndergraduate GPA in Jr./Sr. yearGRERelated majorReferencesOverall GPAEssays/Personal statementsRelated experienceInterview

How to Maximize Your ChancesResearch the department and prepare for the interviewCultivate strong referencesStudy for testing requirementsChoose first tier and second tier schoolsLook for up and coming schoolsUse personal contactsWrite strongStart early

Testing Plan to take 1 year ahead of time Examples: GRE (Graduate Record Exams)-Prometrics-Take once per month-computer-based-must register/schedule take through www.ets.org -$185 for General Test-Also subject test (8 areas-paper-based) for some programsQuantitative Reasoning Measures problem-solving abilityVerbal Reasoning Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written materialAnalytical Writing Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills LSATS (Law School Admissions Test)GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)MCAT (Medical College Administrations Test)There are also 7 Subject Tests-you will have to find out from the school if you need to take one of them.

Official TranscriptsApplication EssayAbout your accomplishments & Interests to the studyUse enthusiasm, creativity and uniqueness Get it critiqued before turning in with application2-3 Letters of RecommendationGive your recommenders the correct forms with stamped and addressed envelops or website ResumeTest results (study-study-study)Interview (practice-practice-practice)

Good Luck!