Job $earch $trategie$

www.msubillings.edu/careers

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

Target Your Network

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

You’re on Your Way!

Be patient Be persistent Be professional

Good Luck!

Career Services

University Campus: Lib 100 657.2168 City College: Jacket Student Central 247.3006

www.msubillings.edu/careers