Job Search
 Career
Exploration & Research
Job
Search Strategies
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for Jobs
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& Salary
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Career
Exploration
What industry or career field are you pursuing? What kinds of jobs
are you looking for? It is normal to be unsure as you look for
work after graduation and it is never too late to begin
exploring new options and opportunities. Begin by meeting with a
CDC counselor and reviewing some resources online in our
Career Exploration
section.
If you have an idea of an industry or career field, begin to
research the industry and organizations in that area - the more
prepared you are, the smoother the process will be. There are
resources in the CDC Library and also online that provide
industry and organization insider information.
-
Wet Feet Career Research and Industry Guides *NEW
(contact the CDC for username & password)
-
Vault
The Vault Online Career Library is a comprehensive
career resource encompassing five key content areas.
Access by signing in with your UR email address; a
password will be sent to you. UR email
addresses ONLY!
• Downloadable e-books
• Insider company information not available
anywhere else
• Industry research
• Career advice articles
• Electronic Watercooler™ message boards, with 2.5+
million posting archives
-
University Libraries: Business Information Center
-
Plunkett Research (through UR Libraries)
-
CityTownInfo.com:
Find professions in a city
and those cities offering the strongest opportunities for a
selected profession. Use as a relocation tool to learn
about a city's demographics, economics, culture, colleges,
housing, climate, and more.
Job
Search Strategies
Three Strategies for Job Searching
Once you have hammered out your goals for your job search, work
with the CDC and think of ways you could realistically achieve
them through the resources available to you and based upon your
self-assessment. Your focus will be essential in identifying
appropriate opportunities and in cultivating a satisfying and
rewarding experience.
1. Database Searching: Start your search by viewing what
already exists in the
SpiderConnect database or other databases through our website and
library. There are many formal, structured, and established
opportunities already listed in these resources and many students
have been successful in finding opportunities that fit their goals
such as the On-Campus Interview
(OCI) program. Take advantage of On Campus Interviewing and
programs such as Metro Link NY and DC.
2. Targeting Organizations: Target an organization, an
industry, or a geographic location and create your own opportunity.
Many opportunities are not posted at all so this strategy can be
successful - this takes time and work though so be sure to start
early. Using resources
like CareerSearch
or WetFeet may be useful in this process.
3. Networking:
80% of jobs are filled through networking. An internship is no
different.
It is not a dirty word. This is still the most effective way to secure
a full-time job. Tap into your circle of friends,
family, professors, previous employers,
Richmond alumni, etc. Make
them aware of your goals and give them an opportunity to
provide their assistance - whether it is in the form of advice,
connecting you to their network, or an actual opportunity.
A Few Suggestions:
If you know of someone who works in an organization that interests
you, talk to him or her! Start early and take control of the process
- Start early - it is never too early to start the process
- Be aware of application timelines for different industries
- Follow up with every application you submit (unless it states not
to)
- Use a combination of the search strategies and resources
- Conducting an informational interview; It can give you an
edge in developing your application materials as well as
demonstrate your interest to someone inside the organization
- Apply to as many opportunities as you can handle the follow up for
- Your job is to figure out exactly what this company is looking for
and incorporate that into your application materials. To do this
effectively, research the company and apply your skills in a way that
matches the position's description. Knowing the industry is
imperative.
- Read the application material thoroughly — know what is required
- Don't stop the process until you have received and accepted
an offer
- Keep track of deadlines
Following Up: This may be the most important component to the internship search
process. A follow up phone call or email may be the difference
between you and another candidate.
- Do not be overly persistent
(calling every day) and make sure to play by their rules (if they say
no phone calls, then do not call).
- Inquiring where the organization
may be in their search process or contacting them to ensure that they
received your materials is a professional and subtle way to get your
name across their desk once again. This is an especially important
step when targeting an organization and when you are working with your
network.
- If you get nervous talking to people, script out your
conversation on paper so that you have a guideline to follow. This
will help you get comfortable with these professional phone calls.
- Meet with one of our counselors to help clarify things--that's why
they're here!
Don't Forget About...
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Cover Letters
Interviewing
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