A job search is like taking an additional class: it’s a process and takes time, so don't wait until your final year to get started! When you plan, organize, and remain optimistic and persistent, you will be more effective. Job boards and Google searches are helpful but relied upon too much as the primary way to find a job. Take time to reflect on your goals, so you can narrow your search using criteria such as location, industry, and job function. Utilize the strategies and resources outlined on this page; schedule an appointment with a CDI staff member for assistance!
The most important first step is understanding what roles and organizations interest you. Finding a job is easier when you know what you are looking for! Stay open to possibilities; however, have a few starting points. Identify your top three job role priorities and focus on accepting interviews only with the organizations that meet your goals. Job search timelines vary by industry and organization. On average, plan on 3-6 months of a highly active job search. Some industries depend upon the junior year internship to identify their top entry-level candidates. Do not wait until your final year of college to begin your job search. The earlier you explore your options and get your materials organized, the more “in control” of the process you will be.
A job search is most effective when you utilize multiple approaches and resources: Handshake , industry-specific online job boards, networking, and proactive, targeted outreach strategies.
In general, the job search process involves:
Researching employers is perhaps the single-most important activity you will undertake in your job search. Review Avoiding Job Scams and Researching Employers (PDF 386KB). Your research will help you:
Unfortunately, many job seekers overlook the importance of research when undertaking a job search. It’s common for employers to comment that job candidates haven’t “done their homework,” and instead come into interviews with little or no knowledge about the organization. These candidates flounder, asking questions that could be easily answered by a cursory look at the organization's website or literature. They make a poor impression because employers 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—those that have the types of jobs or do the type of work that interests you. These could be organizations that attend campus career fairs and special events, or they might be companies you have identified on your own. Look at Chambers of Commerce, which provide extensive lists of all businesses within a specific geographic area; for example, York County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Research organizations to obtain information in each of the following categories:
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 |
Related Links
Contact Information
Center for Career Development and Internships
Related Links
Contact Information
Center for Career Development and Internships
