Job and Internship Search Strategies for Alumni

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Job and Internship Search Strategies for Alumni
Presented by Pomerantz Career Center
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Pomerantz Career Center

• Serves students and alumni on the UI campus
• Is located just north of the Pappajohn Business
  Building
• For more information visit our web site at
  www.careers.uiowa.edu
• You can also get a copy of our career guide
  online or in our office to learn more

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Presentation Overview

• Self-Assessment
• Research
• Networking
• The hidden job market
• Implementing/managing your search
• Mistakes to avoid

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During Your Search Remember

• No specific job strategy will work for everyone
• Be flexible
• Be persistent
• Allow extra time to conduct your search
  (especially when working full-time while looking)
• 3 key steps - Assessment, Research and
  Implementation

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Self Assessment

• What do you want to do?
• What do you like about your current job?
• What do I want to be different?
• Helps narrow the audience and define your answer
  if an employer asks you Why do you want to work
  here?
• Informational interviews
• Identify likes/dislikes

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Self-Assessment

• Ask yourself questions(Example do you like
  working with clients or transactional documents?)
• This will help you to gain insight
• Identify what you find rewarding

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Research How do to find jobs?

• Job listings (newspapers, magazines)
• Low cost, high competition
• Targeted mailings (letters of inquiry,
  application to specific industries, but can be
  time consuming, low response rate etc)
• And

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Finding Jobs/ Internships

• Internet resources USAJOBS, Career Builder,
  websites of individual employers, professional
  associations, etc. (be sure to be as professional
  and diligent using these as paper methods)
• Career Services at your alma mater online
  recruiting systems (ex. UI Employment Expo)
• Next, before you apply you should learn
  something about them

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Research the Employers

• Displays thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Taking the time shows motivation, seriousness of
  purpose, respect, and commitment.
• Helps to personalize cover letters and resumes.
• Determine your fit with the organization
• Identify a large number of employers
• Focus resume to target needs of company
• Respond knowledgably and informed
• Prepare appropriate questions to ask during an
  interview.

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What to Learn About a Company

• Description of job responsibilities.
• Personnel information (NAME, policies, relevant
  information of executives).
• Organizational culture, goals, and strategies.
• Size, age, location, history, ownership
• Products or services, major competitors, recent
  development, expected growth.
• Your knowledge will display your sincere interest
  and help you be more prepared to interview

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Networking

• Single most effective way of gathering
  career-related information, develop contacts, and
  uncover the hidden job market
• Identify your resources!!
• Colleagues
• Friends and family
• Professional associates
• Use your resources!!!
• Informational interviews
• Job shadow externship
• May be leads for potential internships

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Networking

• TALK to develop your Network
• Start with people you know first, then build on
  that
• Enlist support, discuss you, gather information,
  listen!
• Attend company information sessions
• Contact human resource department
• Get involved in professional/civic organizations

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Network through Informational Interviews

• Make initial contact give them a copy of your
  resume
• Ask for information.NOT a job
• Face-to-face meeting if possible
• Be politely persistent
• Try to obtain referrals from each person
• Follow up
• Thank them

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The Hidden Job Market

• Approximately 80 of available positions are
  never advertised
• You can make contact before an employer knows
  they need you

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• Most employers prefer informal and personal
  methods of identifying employees.
• Networking does not eliminate the need to use
  other job-search methods
• It will produce helpful referrals from
  approximately many of your contacts.
• This process can be somewhat time-consuming and
  you still need to use more traditional methods

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Other Useful Resources

• Mock Interviews may lead to real interviews!
• Volunteering in your community
• Create your own position as companies change and
  grow
• Job Agencies
• Internet want ads

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Implementing/Managing Your Search

• Organize yourself with a system (computer,
  binder, index cards)
• Set aside time for your search weekly/daily
• Keep records of initial contacts and follow-ups
• Set reasonable daily/weekly goals
• Continue to assess process
• Update/review resume as needed

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Evaluating an Unsuccessful Job Search

• Rejection is part of the normal job search
  process, but
• If youve looked for 6 months without much
  success, may need to redirect or gain experience
• Build your experience and gain skills
• Take a temporary position or internship
• Volunteer work

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Redirect Your Search

• Clarify goals and redefine options talk with a
  Career Advisor
• Have your resume reviewed several times
• Geographic restrictions
• Do your skills match with the needs of the
  company?

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8 Common Job Search Mistakes

• 1. Relying on one strategy
• 2. Lack of focus/career objective
• 3. Failure to identify and use networking
• 4. Targeting only large employers
• 5. Failure to followup
• 6. Unprofessional materials/appearance
• 7. Impersonal approach
• 8. Underestimate time needed to search

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Keep It In Perspective

• Dont take everything personally
• Maintain a balance between job search and
  every-day routine
• Remind yourself of your skills/abilities
• Use your resources and you will find employment
• Be persistent a job search can take two to six
  months or more!

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• Thank you for visiting our web site
• For more information, please call
• 319-335-1023 or visit us at
• C310 Pomerantz Center