How to Job Search—Seven Steps

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How to Job SearchSeven Steps

• Southwest Minnesota State University
• Career Services, BA 156
• www.southwestMSU.edu/CampusLife/CareerServices

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Job Searching

• People on average have 5-7 careers
• People changed jobs every 3.4 years
• (Source Bureau of Labor Stats. Of the U.S.
  Dept. of Labor)
• At several points in your life you will need to
  conduct a job search. Its important to know the
  process

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Objectives

• Learn the steps to completing a successful job
  search
• Review the must have marketing tools
• Introduce job hunting resources
• Prepare to start search

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Step 1 Get Organized

• Identify career and life values, goals and
  objectives
• What sort of job am I looking for?
• Where do I want to work?
• What do I value in my work?
• Realistically assess your strengths, weaknesses,
  skills, and abilities
• Ready your marketing tools

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Marketing Tools

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Reference Page Recommendations
• Mustangjobs.com
• Portfolio
• Polished Interviewing Skills

Career Services can help you develop these tools
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Step 2 Research the Market

• Identify and rank information on companies
• Largest
• Fastest growing
• Most profitable
• Research annual reports
• Use the web or local libraries

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Job Search Resources

• Mustangjobs.com
• Full Time and Internship Positions
• On Campus Recruiting
• Newspapers Professional Journals
• Telephone and Online Directories
• Minnesota Workforce Center
• Chamber of Commerce
• Governmental Agencies
• Job Fairs
• MN State Job and Internship Fair in February
• SMSU Job and Internship Fair in April
• MN Education Fair in April

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Job Search Resources (continued)

• Internet Job Sites
• Super Sites
• Visibility to employers makes these sites popular
  (e.g. CareerBuilder, Monster)
• Hub Sites
• Still well know but smaller sitestarget specific
  groups (e.g. The Laddersfor executives)
• Niche Sites
• Smaller sites often associated with a profession
  or industry association (e.g. Mustangjobs.com,
  LandIt.org)

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Job Search Resources (Continued)

• Criteria for Choosing Job Sites
• keeping safe and avoiding scams
• Know the site and the organization behind it
• A site included in a job site directory (like
  Job-Hunt .org or RileyGuide.com) should be ok
• Check www.Alexa.com to view site ranking.
  Numbered 1-100,000 in descending order (estimate
  of traffic). For example, Yahoo 1, MSN 2,
  Google 3

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On line Job Search

• Use Safe Job Sites
• Refine your job search using keywords and advance
  search options
• Apply to positions you are qualified for
• Set up Email Job Alerts or Job Agents
• Upload and Post your Resume
• Write a Customized Cover Letter

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Step 3 Network Target Your Market

• Develop a systematic list of people who could
  provide company information and referrals
• Family Friends
• Past Employers
• Professional Organizations
• Alumni Directories
• Faculty and staff
• Create a list of employers you want to work
  forcontact these companies for job and
  internship opportunities
• 80 of positions are in the Hidden Job
  MarketUse your personal network and company
  websites to find the openings.

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Step 4 Pace Yourself Stay with it

• Keep a written log of contacts, callbacks, and
  interviewsincreases efficiency
• Develop short long term action plans
• Seek feedback from others
• Review and adjust your objectives as needed

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Step 5 Prepare for the Interview

• Decide on clothes to give you the professional
  look
• Practice your Interview Skills
• Review How to be Interviewed-- Power Point on
  Career Services website
• Watch online video--The Interview on
  Mustangjobs.com
• Schedule a practice interview with a career
  counselor
• Watch expert advice on how to answer interview
  questions on Interview Stream
• What to bringPad folio, extra resumes, reference
  page, professional pen, questions for interviewer

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Step 6 Make Sure to Follow Through

• Follow up with the employer within 1-2 weeks of
  sending your resume
• Always send Thank You Letters after an
  interviewwithin 24 hours
• Follow directionssend the information the
  employer requests

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Step 7 Be Persistent

• Job searching takes timethe average search is
  4-6 months
• RememberFollow up is key
• Be open minded about potential opportunities

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Recapping the 7 Steps

• Get organized
• Research the market
• Network and conduct info interviews
• Pace yourself stay with it
• Prepare for the interview
• Make sure to follow through
• Be persistent

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Need Help?

• Schedule an appointment at Career Services
• Stop by BA 156 or call 507-537-6221