CAREER
Success Guide
University Center-Lower Level, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 268-2064 www.cmu.edu/career/
YOUR INDEPENDENT JOB SEARCH
The independent job search is a process where a person engages in a proactive, individually designed, course of action to achieve a career goal. It involves creating a plan and identifying methods that can help you have control over your job search. For the college student, the independent job search is important and should supplement other job-related services you are using. Others services may include the on-campus recruiting program, job fairs, job listings, and employment agencies. The job search process can help you organize your goals, identify skills you can use on the job, and target specific employers - all of which are useful as you develop yourself professionally. In the short term, you can land the first job that's right for you with the long- term goal of managing your career. You may want to meet with your Career Center Consultant. To do this you will need to assess your skills and interests and explore career opportunities. Have a Specific Plan of Action and a Career Goal 1. Understand yourself and determine which jobs will best fulfill your career needs. Some resources available in the Career Center include: • Myers Briggs Type Indicator (computerized preference inventory) • Strong Interest Inventory (computerized interest inventory) • What Can I Do With This Degree? (Binder) • Occupations and Majors Finder (Binder) • Majoring in the Rest of Your Life: Career Secrets for College Students • Discover What You’re Best At • Four Year Roadmap to Career Planning Career Success Guide handout 2. Define the type of work you want, and then explore the various places where you could get this kind of work. The Career Center maintains information on hundreds of careers. Some resources available in the Career Center include: • Occupational Outlook Handbook • Straight Talk on Careers: 80 Pros Take You Into Their Profession • 100 Best Careers for the 21st Century 3. Develop a plan that incorporates several short-term goals to help you reach your major goal. Set a schedule for the achievement of these short-term goals. Some examples of short-term goals: • Internship or Cooperative Education Experience • Academic Research Project • Temporary/Contract Employment • Volunteer/Community Service Projects 4. Design an appropriate resume and cover letter for the type of job you are seeking, and identify the employers' preferred manner to receive your credentials. Some resources to use: • Resume Career Success Guide handout • Employment Letter Career Success Guide handout • Electronic Resume Revolution • Cover Letters That Knock'Em Dead 5. Methods used to forward credentials to employers: • Standard Mail • Electronic Mail (email) • On-Line Resume/Application (employer website) • Facsimile machine (Fax) Page 1 of 5
6. Prepare for job interviews: • Assess your strengths and skills for the position • Identify potential questions you may be asked • Practice interview with a friend or Career Consultant • Participate in the Career Center Mock Interview Program
Use Your Time Effectively An independent job search can be time consuming. Expect to spend many hours at it. In fact, many students refer to their job search as similar to taking a 9-12 unit course. This involves planning a variety of activities and setting time aside to complete them. You will also want to include some rewards for yourself and mark your achievements. Some example activities include: • Career Planning and Self-Research • Conducting Job Market Research and Informational Interviews • Letter Writing and Telephone Calls • Attending Job Fairs and Job Interviews
Develop a System to Protect Yourself Conducting an independent job search can be stressful and is hard work. Keep in mind that the job search can take a great deal of time and, possibly, money. In reality, the more energy you put into your job search, the more productive you will be in achieving your goal. 1. Develop a system to protect yourself from procrastination and rejection shock. • Have regular commitments to yourself and others and keep them • Keep active and stay on course with your plans • Become familiar with and use time management techniques • Maintain your support system (family, friends, faculty, professional associations) • Meet with your Career Consultant regularly to share feelings, information and test ideas 2. Rejection is a basic part of the job search process. • Try not to take rejections personally, as many factors may have contributed to why you did not get the job • After you've been rejected for a job, immediately begin initiating other contacts • Maintain your support system and talk to someone about your experiences
Where to Look for a Job 1. Internet Resources. There are literally hundreds of websites with employment-related information, job openings and employer leads. The following addresses are good starting points: • • • • • Career Center's home page MonsterTRAK JobWeb CareerCity Career Builder www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/career www.monster.com www.jobweb.org www.careercity.com www.careerbuilder.com
When conducting geographic job search, you may want to perform a net search using the Yahoo browser. Many cities, states and counties now have websites with business, non-profit, government and employment-related links.
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2. Networking. Networking can help you identify potential employers, learn about a specific career and help you focus your job search. Networking means making connections with employers and professionals who can help you with your job search. It involves being proactive about your job search and taking initiative. Some networking ideas include: • • • Friends, family members, and contacts made through friends and family. Don't be reluctant to let others know you are looking for a job; you'll discover that most people will want to help. Faculty and academic advisers are often familiar with the current employment trends in your field. They may maintain a listing of employers and professional contacts. Professional societies, professional meetings and symposiums provide an opportunity to link up with employers and professionals. Attend local meetings, join a student chapter and get involved in the profession. Many provide membership directories or access to member information. Much of this information can be obtained on the Internet or by calling the organization. Alumni can be an excellent resource for employment. Carnegie Mellon has several alumni clubs around the country. Additional alumni contacts can be obtained from the Career Center, academic departments, friends, and the Alumni Relations Office.
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3. Print Material. There are a number of print resources available to you in the Career Center and other libraries (Hunt, Engineering & Science Library, Carnegie Library-Oakland). Also know that many of these print materials are available on the Internet. They include: • Newspapers can be a good source for general information about upcoming jobs articles on future trends new businesses grand openings companies that are hiring contracts awarded articles on careers Yellowpages, Donnelley Directory, Business-To-Business Directory (print or online) can provide you with useful information. You can identify employers and organizations where you can inquire about available positions or future possibilities. This is particularly useful if you are looking in a new geographical area. This information is available on the Internet and many print copies are located in Hunt Library. Professional journals, newsletters and trade publications often have listings of available jobs. Additionally, you can identify key people to contact, find out what is going on in your field, obtain ideas of new jobs that are likely to appear, and learn the jargon of the profession. Employer literature, annual reports and in-house newsletters can provide useful information on the employer. Some materials will include available positions. Much of this information can be obtained on the Internet or by calling the employer directly and requesting it. Directories of organizations, associations, and businesses can be used as sources of names and addresses of individuals who can give you information. These contacts may also be prospective employers. Hunt Library, combined with the Career Center Library, provide a comprehensive collection. World Wide Chamber of Commerce Directory can provide you with contact information for a specific geographic location. You can request an employer listing or relocation packet, and the names of directories or websites. The directory is available in the Career Library and most university and public libraries.
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4. Job Fairs. These are excellent opportunities to learn about careers and make initial contacts. CMU hosts several job fairs on campus each year and participates in several national and regional fairs. 5. State and Federal Employment Agencies. These provide assistance in finding jobs and have a database of available opportunities. This information is also useful in identifying hiring trends in certain geographical areas. 6. Employment Agencies. These can help you identify part-time, contractual/temporary, or full-time employment. Contact those who work with organizations and employers in your field. If possible, obtain a
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referral from a friend, faculty member, family, etc. The Career Center can assist you in identifying possible leads in this area. The Telephone Campaign Organization is the key to skillful telephone technique, and there's more to using the telephone than simply picking up the receiver and dialing the appropriate number. Presenting yourself well over the telephone requires preparation. Here's how to develop professional telephone skills to ensure success in three different situations you might encounter in the job-search process: • Calling about your resume.... When you call, state your full name and the reason for calling: "Hello, this is _________. I'm calling to confirm receipt of my resume for the position of ________________". Ask when resumes will be reviewed and interviews scheduled. Ask the person's name with which you are speaking and address him/her personally when you call again. Refer to the Employment Letter Career Success Guide handout on designing the appropriate cover letter. Calling to inquire about opportunities.... Many internships and professional positions are never advertised. This call is similar to the resume call, but requires more planning. A preliminary call to an employer's personnel office can yield the name of the person in charge of hiring. Getting this name can be extremely helpful for the letter campaign and follow-up calls. This type of call can be done before or after a resume is sent. You can actually turn a "no" into an informational interview or additional lead. Please refer to the Informational Interview Career Success Guide handout. If you are still interested in the employer, follow-up with them every couple of months and keep accurate records. Calling to be interviewed.... It is possible that a first or subsequent call you make to an employer can turn into a telephone interview. This is becoming more common for "screening" individuals. Schedule your telephone calls to employers when you have enough time and will not be interrupted. Have your resume and all supporting information in front of you when you call. Save your questions until the employer has explained the position and duties. This will keep the interview organized and flowing. Refer to the Interview Career Success Guide handout for additional interview information.
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10 Telephone “BE” TIPS: Be Prepared Be Persistent Be Courteous Be Polite Be Honest Be Happy Be Concise Be Creative Be Optimistic Be Professional
Where are you in your job search? This checklist is designed to help you find where you may be off target with your job search. The way you answer the following questions may yield some important clues. Answer each question "yes" or "no." Then tally "yes" answers at the end of the form and discuss the results with a Career Consultant. I. What you know about yourself and your preferences 1. Can you clearly state your career goals? 2. Can you explain why you chose your major? 3. Can you describe your greatest strength? 4. Can you describe your greatest weakness? 5. Can you list at least five job skills and abilities you have? 6. Can you name the work activities you do most well and enjoy? How about non-work activities? 7. For each of your most important job-related experiences, can you list: a. five things you did? Page 4 of 5 __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
b. five things you learned? c. several contributions you made or things you accomplished? 8. Have you clearly defined your geographical preferences and limitations? 9. Have you determined the salary range you will consider? II. What you know about employers 1. Can you name at least three fields of employment into which you might fit? 2. Can you name at least 5 kinds of employers that might hire a person with your background? 3. Can you name at least 5 position titles that might fit you? 4. Do you know four/five resources to help you find answers to questions 1,2,3? 5. Can you name at least four sources of information that could help you discover potential employers in a particular geographical area? 6. In the past month, have you talked to at least three people in your field of interest with the purpose of learning more about what they do? 7. Can you name at least five employers to whom you have applied for work in the past two weeks? 8. Are any of these employers curious as to how your skills could help the organization? III. Your job seeking contacts to employers 1. Do you rely on advertised job vacancy listings as your major source of job leads? 2. Have you prepared a resume with which you are satisfied? 3. Have you asked anyone for feedback on your resume? 4. Have you asked employers for feedback on your resume? 5. When you apply to an employer, do you send your resume to personnel? 6. Are you familiar with the organizational structure, services/programs/products of the organization to whom you apply? 7. Do you know the questions employers are likely to ask you in an interview? 8. Can you clearly state why you are interested in working for each employer to whom you apply? 9. Have you used any of the following methods to prepare for an interview: a. role-playing with a friend/relative? b. writing out answers to common interview questions? c. role-playing by yourself in front of a mirror? d. manuals, resources and services offered by the Career Center?
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Now What? Add up your "yes" answers for each section and enter them below: Section I - Yourself Section II - Employers Section III - Contacts Total Score _______ _______ _______ _______
Total 26-31: You are on the right track. Keep up the good work! Total Score 11-25: Close. Why not discuss your job hunt with a Career Consultant? Total Score 10 or below: You should definitely discuss your job hunt with a Career Consultant.
Source: Placement Manual 9/90
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