It’s true: college, to many, is all about having fun and squeezing every ounce out of your last years that can be spent with few regrets and even fewer consequences. There is no doubt about this, but it’s also inarguable that the most successful post-college collegiettes are the ones who embrace the real world during their undergraduate years. When it comes to thinking about your future plans, as far away as they may seem, you have to think about what is not only going to look best on a resume, but give you the most experience for your post-college career. Plus, who doesn’t want/need some extra cash to supplement their tuition, savings, or Pinkberry fund?
We’ve all heard and uttered the same excuse when it comes to this: “But I can’t find a job.” “Nobody’s hiring.” “I’m not qualified enough for any of these jobs.” This is the easy way out now, but this unfortunately will not help you when it comes to getting a full-time job. So, dear Wildcat collegiettes, here are all of the steps that you need to take to find and apply for a job (or two, or three, or ten).
1. Actually utilize Wildcat JobLink. Heard of it? No? Let me tell you how great this is: you go to www.career.arizona.edu/joblink, click “Student/Alumni”, sign in using your UAccess credentials, and a world of potential jobs will appear at your fingertips.
2. Fill out everything on JobLink. The more, the better. Start with your personal profile, then update your academic profile, and upload your personal resume. This is important, because potential employers will be able to view information about you based on your profile, and the more you have, the merrier!
3. After you fill out your information, you will be able to find jobs that you qualify for. On the right hand side, there is a button you can click called “Jobs I Qualify For” that will show you those jobs. Hint: If it gives you an option to find Work-Study jobs, and you’re not a part of the Work-Study program, don’t apply for those jobs because they tend to be exclusive to Work-Study. Hint #2: If you’re not sure if you are a part of Work-Study, you can call the Office of Financial Aid at (520)-621-1858.
4. JobLink is a fantastic resource for campus jobs and jobs in the area, but check out other places too. Even though everybody and their grandmother seems to be applying at Paradise or Fuku, it never hurts to send in an application. After all, you surely can’t get the job if you don’t apply! Don’t limit yourself to staying on campus. Campus jobs are convenient, but often competitive because of that reason.
5. Always follow up after you submit an application. Usually this is appropriate around 2-3 weeks after you submit it. Persistence of applicants is key, especially for employers who are receiving more applications than they know what to do with. Giving Jamba Juice a call (bonus points if you go in person!) to see if they need any more information from you, or to check on the status of your application, will never hurt you.
Next week, we’ll give you some tips for when you get called back for an interview. In the meantime, get searching, collegiettes!