The Job Search Process (Overview)

1
The Job Search Process(Overview)

1. Figure out what you want to do or would enjoy
   doing.
2. Obtain information on job opportunities,
   especially those related to 1 above.
3. Market yourself aggressively, professionally,
   enthusiastically, etc.

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The Job Search Process(Overview)

• Step 1 Figure out what you want to
• do or would enjoy doing.
• Step 2 Obtain info on job opportunities,
• especially related to 1 above.
• Step 3 Market yourself aggressively,
• enthusiastically, professionally.

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Alternative Job Search Processes

1. Do It Yourself
2. Use On-campus Career Service Offices
3. Use Off-campus Agencies

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Is it better to graduate in the fall or the
spring from a job opportunity perspective?

• A. Typically, of ISU Ag Bus graduates each year,
  about ¼ to 1/3 graduate in the fall. It doesnt
  really matter. While the number of job
  interviews in the fall is lower, the number of
  job opportunities per graduate is about the same.
  It doesnt make too much sense to delay your
  graduation for job placement reasons. If you
  dont find a job you like at graduation time, you
  can always come back to school as a special
  student (after graduating) and continue to search
  for a job.

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Things NOT to do in the job search process

1. Do NOT show up for a job interview.
2. Do NOT prepare for an interview
3. Do NOT have a high-quality resume.
4. Do NOT take advantage of career-related work
   opportunities.
5. Do NOT participate in leadership development
   activities.
6. Do NOT add depth or rigor to your academic
   program.
7. Do NOT continue to interview after you have
   accepted a job.
8. Do NOT back out of a job offer prematurely.

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Electronic Mistakes(Job Search Process)

1. Communicate by e-mail and treat it too informally
   or make writing mistakes.
2. Put a message on your answering machine that is
   NOT professional.
3. Put incriminating information about yourself on
   the internet (e.g. Facebook).

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Sad Facts About Planning

• Many people spend more time on planning
  short-term, relatively unimportant activities
  than they do on long-term, significant matters.
• Examples
• Vacation vs. Retirement
• Tailgate vs. Job After Graduate

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Deciding on a Career

• Learn about the career before graduating
• Related internships/part-time jobs
• Listen to people talk about their jobs
• Club meetings
• Career seminar classes
• Career day exhibits
• Personal interviews
• Read brochures, do research, etc.
• Do what you enjoy

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SWLD Analysis in Job Search
Likes
Dislikes


Strengths
Weaknesses
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Its only work if youd rather be doing something
else!!
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Find a job you love and youll never have to work
a day in your life.
Jim Fox
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Characteristics of Careers Taken By Ag Business
Graduates

• ChallengingInterestingVaried ActivitiesPeople
  OrientedMoney FocusRewardingOpportunities for
  Advancement

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Outstanding ISU Ag Business Alumni Award Winners
Year Name Position
1996 Roger Underwood President CEO, Becker Underwood
1997 Doug Barinsky Vice President, Cargill Animal Nutrition
1998 Jeff Plagge President CEO, First National Bank (Waverly)
1999 Jane Stautz Global Diversity Leader, Dow AgroSciences
2000 Lyle Campbell CEO, Founders Group
2001 Jamey Grafing Senior VP, Syndicated Finance
2002 James Borel President DuPont Crop Protection
2003 David Petersen Owner, Majestic-Manor Dairy
2004 Nancy Brannaman General Services Officer, U.S. Dept. of State
2005 Tim Fevold Farm Manager, Hertz Farm Management
2006 Paul Maass Vice President, ConAgra Mills
2007 Doug Dashner Exec. Dir., DeKalb Co. Farm Bureau
2008 Dwight Seegmiller President, Hills State Bank
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Examples of Companies that Recently Hired ISU Ag
Bus Graduates

• Kraft Foods
• IBP Incorporated
• West Central Co-op
• Roche Inc.
• Ag Chem Equipment
• Asgrow
• Golden Harvest Seed Co.
• Ft. Dodge An. Health
• General Mills

• Rolling Hills FS ( other local co-ops)
• Meredith Publishing
• U.S. Commodities ( other market advisory cos.)
• Northwestern Mutual ( other insurance cos.)
• Iowa Pork Producers

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Examples of Companies that Recently Hired ISU Ag
Bus Graduates

• Archer Daniels Midland
• Cargill
• GROWMARK
• Farmers Co-op Co.
• Pioneer Hi-Bred International
• Hormel Foods
• Dow AgroSciences

• CHS
• ConAgra Foods
• John Deere
• CNH
• Monsanto
• Farm Credit Services
• ( numerous other banks)

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Job Possibilities for Ag Bus Majors
Advertising Agent Public Relations Appraiser Marke
t Analyst Cooperative Extension
Agent Accountant Lawyer Underwriter Technical
Support
Agricultural Salesperson Commodity
Merchandiser Ag Loan Officer Crop Production
Specialist Agribusiness Manager Farm
Manager Food Broker Agronomist Product Manager
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Factors Influencing Career Opportunities for Ag
Business Graduates

• Supply of and Demand for Ag College Graduates
• Academic Record
• Extracurricular Activities
• Work Experiences
• Skills/Traits
• Personal Decisions (e.g. driving, drinking,
  Facebook)

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Fall Ag Business Enrollment
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Job Information for S09 Ag Business Graduate
Placements
No. Offers Avg. 1.05
Range 0-3

Salaries Avg. 40.6
Range 20-53 (000)

Offer Satisfaction Offer Satisfaction
Duties Very Satisfied 64
Satisfied 23
Salary Very Satisfied 50
Satisfied 32