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How to Get a Head Start on the Job Hunt

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Carmen Ma Student Contributor, University of California - Santa Barbara
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Kirby Beaton Student Contributor, University of California - Santa Barbara
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSB chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Although the UCSB student body is composed of many different kinds of people, one thing pretty much all of us students have in common is the desire to find a job after we graduate. But why not beat everyone to the punch right now? It’s never too early to begin the job hunt. Don’t know where to start? Check out the tips below to get yourself started on the path to success!

1. Browse through social media

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, having a social media presence is extremely influential on the job prospects of students of all majors. Sign up on business-related social networking sites like LinkedIn, where hundreds of internship and job applications are posted weekly. It may take a little bit of time and effort, but you certainly won’t regret it when you nab that internship.

2. Network, network, network

As previously mentioned, our world is becoming more and more interconnected! You probably know someone who knows someone who could possibly help you land that dream job. Talk to people about your career interests and put your aspirations out there whenever possible! It could be as simple as showing your love for the Walt Disney Company by putting a sticker of the company logo on your laptop. One conversation could lead to another, and you’ll be one step closer to getting hired.

3. Request informational interviews

What is an informational interview? It’s an opportunity to gather in-depth information about career fields and positions that interest you. Come up with a set of questions about a job you’re interested in pursuing, look up the email of a workplace you think you’d like, and ask for a 15 minute phone call or an in-person meeting.

4. Take advantage of campus resources

Although this may sound obvious, so many people are reluctant or too lazy to do this. Head over to college career services where people are hired to help you with pursuing your dream job! You can get advice on job prospects and requirements from professionals. Also, join any clubs that relate to the career you’d like to pursue and get talking. Pretty soon, you might be saying:

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Hi, Collegiettes! I'm Carmen, a Communication major at University of California, Santa Barbara and one of two Campus Correspondents for UCSB. I would love to one day work in either fashion, food, tech, financial services or philanthropy. My dream is to find a job that somehow combines several of those elements. Until I get there, I'll be munching on copious amounts of Trader Joe's dried mango, jamming out to my man, Frank Sinatra, and focusing on creating intriguing content! If you like my writing, talk to me. ;) 
Kirby is a recent graduate from UCSB currently living in Los Angeles. As a proud Her Campus UCSB alum, she's happy to be back on the HC team covering one of her fave shows: "The Mindy Project." On any given day you can find her with her nose in a book (let's be real - it's a Kindle). In her free time, she likes petting dogs, binge-watching TV, and eating a lot of food. Find her on Instagram: @kirbynicoleb or @GirlBossEats.