For anyone who doesn’t have a job, this is for you! It’s time to spice things up.
*indicates you’ll find the website link at the end of the article
Step 1: Figuring out WHAT to do
The first step towards narrowing down what jobs to look for is learning to articulate what your strengths are and what kind of work environment you‘re seeking.
- Take online personality quizzes.Online quizzes, such as the Myers Briggs Personality Assessment*, can help indentify your strongest qualities and introduce you to the career fields that match them. Also begin to ask yourself: What kind of environment do I want to work in? Do I want a job that involves travel? Would I prefer an active or more sedentary job? Etc. Use this information to explore career fields that might offer the work environment you’re looking for.
- Browse job search engines. Once you’ve narrowed down a general “field” you might want to enter (ex: non-profit work), browse search engines, such as indeed.com, for job postings within that field. Read different position descriptions to narrow down what job titles correlate with the types of work and responsibilities you’re interested in. This will help you define what types of jobs to eventually seek out and apply to.
- Consider broadening your approach. Sometimes it pays to think outside the box. If you find yourself stuck, try exploring an alternative to the traditional 9-5pm job. Consider applying for gap year programs (ex: City Year), post-baccalaureate internships, or even government jobs*. If you’re hoping to pursue a graduate degree later on, look for research opportunities housed in universities, hospitals, and private corporations around the country.
Step 2: Utilizing the web
Below are 5 useful websites and why you should bookmark them on your computer.
- Rochester Career Center Webpage*. There are numerous resources on this site. You can sign up for various workshops, set up an account with CareerLink, review guides on writing resumes and cover letters, download a senior year job search checklist, and much more! Apply for access to RCAN, the UR alumni database, as it will come in handy when you start networking.
- Glassdoor*. To sign up for this website, you must submit a review of a company you’ve worked for, an interview you’ve had, etc. Once you do this, you’ll have free and unlimited access to corporate reviews, salaries, and interviews by company, job title, and location. This will be incredibly beneficial later in the process as it can offer insight into specific interview questions a company is likely to ask as well as their overall application timeline.
- Careershift*. Through this site, you can browse jobs, save uploaded documents, and keep track of your progress in a web calendar. One of the most interesting features of this site is its ability to search for contacts by company or name. Based on criteria you supply (geography, company, education, etc), the program scans the web to find people who fulfill your specifications. This is a great way to search for alumni connections at specific companies!
- QuintCareers *. Among the many things this site offers, its greatest resource is its collection of interview preparation materials. It covers topics such as case interviews and behavioral questions. A definite must see for anyone about to interview.
- 15secondpitch*. This is a fun website that helps you construct a personal introduction. While simple, this website can help you begin thinking about what qualities and experience to reveal when making that great first impression to an interviewer or new networking contact.
Step 3: Networking!
Networking is key for a successful job search, and the good news is –it’s never too early OR late to begin!
- Practice professionalism! Any communication you have with potential employers, previous supervisors, or alumni should be approached with the highest level of professionalism. This means using appropriate addresses (ex: Dear Ms. Name), forgoing common abbreviations (ex: “Speak with you soon” instead of “ttyl”), and expressing gratitude when appropriate.
- Create a LinkedIn* profile. Watch the online Grad Guide* for a LinkedIn tutorial specifically tailored to college students. When your profile is near complete, join the UR Alumni group. In addition, join groups based on the industry and location you want to work in (ex: search “Finance + New York City”). Use your group affiliations to locate alumni in the field you’re looking to enter, peruse job postings and discussion boards, and get a general idea of the current issues in your desired job field. Beyond joining groups, begin to connect with old employers or internship supervisors. Cordially ask them if they know of any opportunities they can refer you to or if they could possibly write a recommendation for your LinkedIn profile. It is important to note that LinkedIn is NOT life facebook. Make sure your photo is modest. Your post updates should be relevant to your academics, job search, or personal achievements (not your love for pop culture or how much fun you had last night). Connecting with people should be purposeful, deliberate, and always include a personal introduction.
- Gather information from contacts.Whether you’ve made a connection on LinkedIn, got the email of an alumni from RCAN, or have a family friend in the industry you’re pursuing, knowing how to maximize your networking notes will take you far. When you reach out to a contact, ask them questions about their career field, specific company, and individual job. Communicating with young alumni can be especially beneficial when you have questions about interviewing.
- Building relationships pays off.Building positive relationships with people can have many benefits. You contacts may introduce you to job opportunities within their companies BEFORE the jobs are even posted. These contacts may also allow you to use them as a reference in your job application. In addition, going out of your way to network with current employees shows hiring managers your dedication and genuine interest to the field and their company.
Step 4: Targeting specific companies and jobs!
Sites such as indeed.com and monster.com are good for general browsing, but company websites can offer so much more!!!
- Company websites can offer a lot of insight. They can give you more details into the benefits of working with them, a snapshot into “a day” at their office, sometimes interview prep materials, in addition to detailed descriptions of what their company does and how different job roles contribute to their greater industry. You’re not only applying to a job, you’re applying to be a part of a company. As such, it is important to find a company you can envision yourself a part of.
- You found a company and they have a job posting!APPLY APPLY APPLY! Every application is different so make sure you pay special attention to their requirements. Most, however, will require at least a resume and cover letter. Others may ask you short answer questions, your employment history, or even your salary expectations. It is important to make sure all your documents are thoughtfully prepared (that means targeting your resume and cover letter to the job posting!) and that you have completed all aspects of the application before pushing submit!
- You found a company, but there are no jobs posted. Don’t discount this company altogether. Keep them on your radar, check back weekly for updates, and browse LinkedIn, CareerShift, and RCAN to see if there are any UR alumni who work there. If you are able to establish a connection with someone within the company, they can give you insider information on if/when job opportunities might become available. If it’s a great company, it’s worth it in the long run to invest a little more time and energy pursuing all possible leads.
Step 5: Staying organized!
The most important rule of thumb for organization is finding a system that works for you! Below are some suggested ways to get started.
- Formulate a To-Do List.Keep track either electronically or in a notebook of all the things you need to do whether it’s respond to emails, re-write your cover letter, or explore a new company’s website. Jotting down such notes in a centralized location will help you be more efficient and productive with your search. It also means no task gets left behind or avenue unexplored!
- Create a “job search” folder in your email. Catalogue all your emails with networking leads, job contacts, and interview confirmations in this folder. Having everything in one place can help you monitor your progress and reference important correspondences quickly.
- Create a “Job search” folder on your computer.Create subfolders for your applications, resumes, and cover letters. When you encounter a job posting, save it to your application sub folder so you can keep a record of all possible job leads. In addition, create an excel document to manage all your applications. In this excel document, you can record a single job postings URL, position title, and special requirements for the application as well the date you applied, the date of your interview, etc.
You’ve made it to the interview!If you’ve come this far, congratulations on your progress! You’re doing something right! Your next steps of preparing for interviews, accepting offers, and negotiating salaries/start dates/etc. are just around the corner. If you find yourself at this point, I highly recommend making an appointment at the University of Rochester Career Center. They lead workshops on interviewing skills, offer mock interviews, and provide individualized feedback with a counselor on navigating next steps!
For everyone who read this and is feeling overwhelmed, REST ASSURED. Previous years statistics indicate that 95+% of UR students are either employed or in grad school after 1 year of graduation*. Furthermore, the UR Career Center assigns a counselor to every unemployed student to help with the post-graduation job search. They will continue to work with you until you officially secure employment. The odds are in our favor! Best of luck to everyone as you navigate the transition from Rochester to the real world.
**Selected Websites **
Online Myers Briggs Assessment: https://www.mbticomplete.com/
Government jobs: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/
Rochester Career Center: http://www.rochester.edu/careercenter/
Glassdoor: http://www.glassdoor.com/
CareerShift: http://www.careershift.com/?sc=rochester
QuintCareers: http://www.quintcareers.com/intvres.html
15SecondPitch: http://www.15secondpitch.com/new/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/
LinkedIn Grad Guide: http://learn.linkedin.com/students/step-1/
UR Graduate Employment Statistics: http://www.rochester.edu/careercenter/frontlinks/statistics.html
A special thanks to the University of Rochester Career Center and all the counselors there who have taught me everything I know!