Job and Internship Searching

1. Job and Internship Searching

2. Before You Begin Know yourself • Many job seekers make the mistake of not focusing their career goals • Makes job search overwhelming • Identify your personal strengths, interests, skills, and values • List possible job titles and fields of interest • Sales, PR, Social Work, Research, Writing, etc.

3. Before You Begin Know where you want to work • Research companies and organizations • Research potential career fields • Know typical entry-level jobs, salaries, etc. • Think about location • Identify potential employers who you would like to work for

4. Preparing for Your Job Search • Target your resume to a specific field or position • Put together work samples • Practice interviewing and speaking about your liberal arts skills and professional experience • Buy a professional suit • Have a professional voicemail message

5. Preparing for Your Job Search • Update your facebook and myspace profiles • Have a professional email address • Learn how to network and do an informational interview • Develop a job search plan using multiple job searching strategies

6. How People Find Jobs Networking and Direct Contact 80% Internet 10% Want Ads 5% Other Methods 5 %

7. Job Search Strategy #1 Participate in campus programs and events • Job Fairs and Events • Government Job Fair (Fall) • Business Etiquette Dinner (November) • Minnesota Private College Job and Internship Fair (February) • Alumni Networking Event (February) • Pathways for Careers (March) • Idealist Job Fair – Nonprofits (March) • Education Job Fair (April) • Other Events • Employer Tables in the Christensen Center • Employer Panels and Information Sessions

8. Job Search Strategy #2 Apply for jobs that are posted • General Job Posting Websites • Augpost, LandIt, JobPost, St. Thomas • Specialized Posting Sites • Idealist: www.idealist.org • Minnesota Council of Non-profits: www.mncn.org • EdPost: www.stcloudstate.edu/joblistings/edpost

9. Job Search Strategy #2 Apply for jobs that are posted • Employer Websites • Megasites • Monster: www.monster.com • Career Builder: www.careerbuilder.com • Newspapers or Want Ads • www.startribune.com • www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress

10. Finding postings using the Wiki http://cswl.pbworks.com/

11. Job Search Strategy #3 Target employers you are interested in • Direct employer contact • Directories • Minnesota Nonprofit Directory • United Way: Directory of Community Services • Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal: Book of Lists • The Gold Book • On the wiki: http://cswl.pbworks.com/

12. Job Search Strategy #4 NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!!!

13. What is Networking? • involves connecting with those who work in a field you are wanting to learn more about or break into • is the most effective way to learn about job positions and obtain job positions • does NOT involve asking for a job

14. Informational Interviews • are a great way to begin to network, build connections, and gain insight into a career • set up times to talk with people and “interview” them about their jobs and/or their employers • follow up after the interview and continue to keep in touch

15. Social Networking • Linkedin • www.linkedin.com • complete a descriptive profile • search for connections for informational interview • get company information and connections • Facebook • become a fan of company profiles • check the profile for news and information

16. Who has had professional/internship interviews? What is hard about interviewing? What makes you the most nervous about interviewing? What questions are the most difficult to answer? INTERVIEWING FOR SUCCESS

17. Basic Guidelines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ucmfPOBV8

18. Types of Interviews • Screening Interview • On-site Interview

19. Before the Interview • Know the job requirements • Know yourself • Research the organization • Prepare questions • Practice • Have your outfit ready • Know where to go

20. Day of the Interview • Arrive early • Introduce yourself • Be professional • Watch your eye contact and body language • May bring and use your portfolio • Answer questions • Ask questions • Do not bring up salary or benefits • Get business cards • Close the interview

21. After the Interview • Send a thank you note • Follow-up

22. Behavioral Questions • Prove yourself by telling stories of past accomplishments • Helps predict behavior • Answer according to the CAR method: • C = Challenge • A = Action • R = Results

23. Practice • Tell me about yourself • What are your strengths? • What are your weaknesses? • Why did you choose your major? • What role do you usually play in group or team situations? • What motivates you in work setting? • Give me an example of an accomplishment you are proud of • Tell me about a time you had multiple assignments to complete and how did you prioritize

24. Other Sample Questions • Why are interested in this position? • What makes you qualified for this position? • Why do you want to work for our organization? • What are your career goals? • How does your education relate to our needs? • Why did you leave your last job?

25. More Sample Questions • Describe a situation where you had a work as part of a team to achieve a goal • Tell me about a time you had to use strong leadership skills • Describe a situation in which you had to work under pressure • Others????

26. Prepare using the Wiki http://cswl.pbworks.com/

27. QUESTIONS??