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JOB HUNTING QUANDARY
I am rather like a mosquito in a nudist camp.
I know what I ought to do, but I don’t know
where to begin.
Stephen Bayne
Perform a Self-Assessment
What do you want to do?
What are your skills, abilities, experiences? Consider paid, unpaid, volunteer, and academic history.
What can you offer an employer?
Define Your Employment Options
Who has the jobs I seek?
Do I want full-time/part-time?
Can I relocate or commute?
Can I free-lance at home?
Can I work as a temp?
Can I live on this salary?
“Right” your Résumé
Create a top-notch résumé on quality stationery.
Include a “killer” cover letter, tailored to each vacancy.
Ask a professional to critique your work; all documents must be error-free.
Mail all documents in a matching envelope.
Use Career Services
On-campus interviews & info sessions
Job Fairs
Resources on cover letters, résumés, and interviewing
CareerLink jobs database
Internships
Career Counseling & Advising
Be strategic: Create your personal “yellow pages” network
A way to compile information systematically
A means of gaining exposure in the job market
An opportunity to expand contacts
NOT random
NOT unstructured
NOT unplanned
NOT brief
Network…Everyone does it!
Join professional organizations
Enhance contacts
Ask for referrals—Use faculty & family connections
Tell everyone you know that you are seeking a job
**Networking Works!
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
MassMailings
Referrals
Mass mailings produce 1-3% results
Networking produces 70% results
Referrals produce 85% results
**Using a combination of all strategies is most effective.
Use All Resources
Personal Contacts Cold Calling
Chamber of Commerce Part-time Work
State Workforce Agencies Targeted Mailings
Internet & Print Vacancies Temporary Agencies
Internships Volunteer Work
Professional Organizations Unions
Check these Websites
Career Services at MSU Billings www.msubillings.edu/careers
Newspapers in every state www.usnpl.com
CareerOneStop www.careeronestop.org/jobsearch/jobsearch.aspx
MT Job Service http://jobs.mt.gov/jobs/login.seek
Respect Employers’ Expectations
Demonstrate these employment skills: Be on time ALL THE TIME Complete work in a responsible manner Dress appropriately at the workplace Avoid personal use of phone & email Follow company practices & policies Be professional ALL THE TIME