Job & Internship Search Strategies
Access the full PDF guide to view detailed advice as well as a list of general and nice online job platforms.
Watch our video on resume-building.
Are you an international student? We have insights and resources to help your search. (link the sentences “we have insights and resources to help your search” to International Student Search page—yet to be created)
Not sure how to start a job or internship search? Are you currently applying but not hearing back? We are glad to explore the process with you and help you create strategies to building a winning job or internship search campaign.
When looking for a job or internship, there are two pieces to focus on: your self marketing and the search itself.
Self-Marketing: Know Yourself
A successful search begins with your knowing yourself and knowing the industries you are trying to enter. Consider your career values, skills, personality, and qualifications.
Next, get to know occupations through tools like informational interviewing, databases, and other resources. Intentional exploration will help you to clearly describe your value to an employer, as well as learn where you may need to gain additional skills or training in order to enter an industry smoothly. Chat with a consultant to narrow down your interests or to learn more about recognizing and verbalizing how you are a good fit to an employer.
Employers are looking to hire individuals who know and use their strengths well. In addition to job-specific technical skills, be mindful of which career-ready skills you demonstrate.
The following competencies that employers desire in new hires are based on data collected by the National Association of College and Employers.
Ask yourself:
- When did I use any of these competencies to go above and beyond a project/job requirement?
- When did I improve an outcome by demonstrating leadership?
- Have I ever demonstrated professionalism during a stressful situation?
- When have I helped a teammate experience belonging and purpose?
By considering questions like these, you will be prepared to show employers how you are career-ready for the workforce.
Self-Marketing: Sell Your Skills
Next, craft a resume that conveys who you are in relation to the posting. Keep in mind that the posting expresses what sort of individual the company is looking to hire. So, your resume should truthfully demonstrate all the ways that you have developed the desired skillsets.
Learn more about resume-building or book a resume review.
The Search: Apply to Positions
Perhaps the most important piece of the job search is the self-marketing
An effective search will involve not only job boards but also networking to discover opportunities.
Handshake, LinkedIn, and Indeed are good areas to begin your search.
To discover more niche job boards, view our full Job & Internship Search Strategies guide.
The Search: Build a Network of Advocates
Use platforms like LinkedIn to find individuals who are currently in your target roles. Learn from their story and reflect upon similar strategies you can employ to also land a satisfactory career.
