Many say that the job search is like taking an additional class in your final year of college. It’s a process and it does take time. However, if you plan ahead, organize your search, and remain optimistic, you will have a more effective and productive job search experience.
Job boards are helpful but relied upon too much as the primary way to find a job. Be certain that you have reflected on what you most want, so you can narrow your search by criteria such as location, industry, and job function. These platforms and websites are helpful for researching organizations, so you have more insight into salary, organizational structure, and company culture.
The most effective job search includes networking and proactive outreach strategies. Not all jobs are posted online or on the same websites; the more you connect with others, you can tap into the hidden job market. Be proactive and targeted in your search. Applying to 10 well-researched opportunities while leveraging personal, faculty, and alumni referrals is far more effective than applying to 100 jobs on Indeed.com.
Job search timelines vary by industry and organization. One average, plan on 3-6 months of a highly active job search. Some industries depend upon the junior year internship to identify their top candidates. Do no assume you can wait until your final year of college to begin your job search. The earlier you begin to explore your options and get your materials organized, the more “in control” of the process you will be.
In general, the job search process involves:
Spend time prior to the job search to understand what is important to you. There are many aspects of a career. You should know your top three career priorities and do your best to accept interviews only with the organizations that meet your career goals.
Researching employers is perhaps the single-most important activity you will undertake in your job search. The information you uncover can help you:
Unfortunately, many job seekers overlook the importance of research when undertaking a job search. In fact, it’s common for employers to complain that potential job candidates haven’t “done their homework,” and instead come into the interview with little or no knowledge about the organization. These candidates flounder, asking questions that could be easily answered by a cursory look at the company website or literature. Needless to say, they make a poor impression, because employers often assume lack of research means lack of interest.
Where should you begin? Start by developing a list of organizations in which you might be interested—companies that have the types of jobs or do the type of work that interests you. These could be organizations that visit your campus for career fairs, information sessions, and interviews, or they might be companies you have identified on your own as potential employers. Look at Chambers of Commerce, which provide extensive lists of all businesses within a specific geographic area.
Research organizations to obtain information in each of the following categories:
Organizational overview: age, size, financial outlook, growth, and structure
What is the proper amount of time an employer should allow you to thoroughly assess—and accept—a job offer?
It is a race among employers to access top talent as early as possible. Most employers seeking May grads are recruiting in the fall for their openings. Employers also use their internship programs to identify the top talent before they begin their final year of school.
When employers make offers for May graduates in early in the fall, giving students until at least Thanksgiving before they are required to make a decision is reasonable. Universities typically host fall recruiting events in September, so students should be well-educated on employer opportunities by that time.
When it gets later in the recruitment season, say December/January, it is common (and appropriate) for employers to give shorter deadline windows, but ideally no less than two weeks. Here's the challenge: most employers cannot wait for an indefinite period of time to hear back from you regarding your decision because they have a need to fill. The longer you have to decide, the likelihood of finding another great new hire for the position will be lessened.
If you are well-educated on what you are looking for and seek out the roles that meet these criteria, then you will have a basis for accepting the right opportunity once it is offered or declining an offer to continue to seek out the role of your dreams. Proactively know your career goals and seek them out rather than explore all of your opportunities and then select.
Below is a sample list of job factors to rank in order to help you evaluate offers:
After considering a job offer (the job, salary, benefits, etc.) and weighing the pros and cons, you decide: You don’t want the job.
Not every job is right for every person. Remember the purpose of the interview: it gives the organization an opportunity to decide if you’re a good candidate for the job and lets you evaluate if the position and organization are the right fit for you. If you choose to reject the company’s offer, here are five things to know:
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Mr. John Smith Senior Account Manager PPR Public Relations 123 Main Street Rock Hill, SC 29732
Dear Mr. Smith, Thank you very much for offering me the Public Relations Assistant position with PPR Public Relations. I enjoyed meeting you and your team. After much deliberation, I have decided to decline your offer, to pursue an opportunity more aligned with my career goals. Please know that my decision was a difficult one, as I was impressed with the opportunity presented. I wish you the best in your recruiting efforts for the position. Perhaps our paths
will cross in the future. Sincerely, Amy Jones |
