"How To" Guides - Colorado College

Developing a plan is an important key to a successful job search. A plan requires that you set goals and determine if they are realistic. A plan also helps you determine where you are in the search process, if you are using your time efficiently, and what your next strategies might be. And finally, a plan keeps you organized and motivated throughout the job search.

The essential components of most job searches include:

This pamphlet covers the first five components; separate handouts and Career Center programming address the other topics.

The first phase of a job search is to examine your values, strengths, skills and accomplishments. This is a process that can take considerable time. The good news is that many classes at CC incorporate self-assessment into their curriculum. In addition, the Career Center offers resources and counseling which can assist you in your self-assessment and help you express these qualities and interests in an articulate and comfortable manner.

It is important to collect information for your self-assessment from a variety of experiences and sources. This might include part-time jobs, summer jobs, internships, and volunteer activities you found particularly satisfying and rewarding. Observations and feedback from professors, advisers, and friends may also assist in your self-assessment. Some individuals find it beneficial to compile a list of concise statements about interests and goals. And of course, speaking with the Career Center staff is always encouraged!

If you have not engaged in self-assessment, you will likely find your job search very difficult.

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Resumes and cover letters are two powerful tools in the job search process. They provide an employer with the first impression of you as an individual and provide an opportunity for you to ‘promote’ yourself as a candidate. Resumes and cover letters are professional documents that demonstrate your ability to articulate yourself in a concise manner. They are not intended to get you a job; their purpose is to get you an interview.

A resume is a formal summary of your education, experiences, and skills. It should be simple, logical, and brief. A personalized cover letter introducing you to the potential employer, identifying the position you are applying for, and indicating how you learned of the opening should accompany every resume. This letter should briefly provide one or two examples of your experience relevant to the position, and should convey the interest and enthusiasm that is prompting your application.

The Career Center offers workshops and guides on writing resumes and cover letters. In addition, the staff is available to critique documents you have prepared. The significant amount of time you spend on developing and perfecting your resume and cover letters is well worth the effort.

The majority of people searching for the "right" job limit their job search to the employment section in newspapers or scanning the Internet for interesting postings. However, the Department of Labor reports that 63% of all jobs are found informally – through leads and referrals of other people.

Personal and professional relationships can be invaluable to researching career possibilities. The people you know (and in turn the people they know) can help you collect information about job opportunities. Make a list of individuals who might be in your "network." Don’t limit your list to persons in a specific field; include faculty, CC alumni, members of professional organizations to which you belong, conference speakers or attendees, people you know from former or current work situations, and internship supervisors. Also include friends, classmates, members of organizations, clubs and activities to which you belong, family and relatives. Express your interests and goals to the people with whom you interact and follow up on the information they provide.

Effective networking may result in:

Informational Interviews

An informational interview is an arranged meeting with a person who is working in a career field of interest to you. Speaking with people currently working in your targeted field(s) can give you a realistic, practical, and ‘up close’ sense of the profession. The person can provide insights into the satisfactions and frustrations of the job, may explain some aspects of the career you had not thought of, and give you specific or general advice about pursuing jobs in that career field. You will probably come away with some new terminology, a better understanding of the current ‘hot’ issues in the field, and additional questions that you will want to ask in future interviews with people knowledgeable in that career area. Informational interviews can be planned when you are still assessing your interest in several careers, and after you have identified the career field you want to pursue.

The Alumni Career Referral Network is an established resource that you can turn to for informational interviews in many different career fields in all parts of the country. The Career Referral Network consists of 4,300 alums that have volunteered to offer advice to current students and recent alums. The Network is an excellent place to locate individuals for informational interviews.

If you decide to use this resource, you should

Remember: The Career Referral Network is not a job placement service. Alumni can provide you with information about career fields, share their experiences, and suggest strategies. They may even provide you with some leads, but not with direct job offers.

Networking Procedures

If you are contacting individuals you have never met (such as CC alumni), it will be helpful to first write a letter introducing yourself and requesting either a phone or in-person informational interview. Face-to-face meetings are usually more productive and informative. However, if you are unable to arrange such a meeting, a phone conversation can suffice. If you are requesting a phone conversation, indicate that you will need 15 - 20 minutes, and that you will call them at a specific time to set up the phone appointment. When you call them, they may prefer speaking with you immediately, or they may schedule another time to talk.

Follow Up With Your Contacts

The words "follow up" are very important to an effective job search. Be sure you follow up in a timely manner with the people who have talked with you.

Following up on every contact in your network takes a great amount of time. Therefore, it is important that you set some daily and weekly goals in the beginning of your job search to prompt you to manage your time well. The more organized you are, the less time it will take you to find the job of your choice.

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Networking is not the only means of locating opportunities. The following resources should also be used to maximize your search effectiveness.

On-campus Recruitment

The Career Center invites recruiters from across the country to screen, interview, and select candidates for positions. Employers find this a cost-effective way of interviewing because they can meet with a large number of candidates in one day. The types of organizations who recruit vary from large companies, such as Andersen Consulting, to nonprofit organizations, such as Teach for America and the Peace Corps. Contact the Career Center for more information about the on-campus recruiting process.

Recruitment Job Fairs

Some companies and organizations participate in local, regional, or statewide job fairs. These fairs are typically large and impersonal. However, they provide an opportunity for you to meet with many employers in a short amount of time. Interviews that occur are usually short and used for screening purposes.

Chambers of Commerce

Most cities have a Chamber of Commerce--a community-based business alliance. Their directories are available for minimal or no charge. Many Chambers publish a periodic business magazine (e.g., Colorado Springs Business Journal), and some publish their magazines on the Internet. These publications have information on new businesses, regional growth industries, and hiring opportunities. You can gain numerous contacts by reading these publications regularly and attending networking events commonly sponsored by the Chamber. Chambers of Commerce also provide useful information on housing and living costs, educational institutions, cultural and recreational opportunities – factors to consider in deciding where you might want to work.

Newspapers

Subscribe to the Sunday edition of the local newspaper(s) if you are considering employment in a specific location. Don’t just scan the classified ads; review the local, regional, and business sections to learn what companies and organizations are doing, and who might be a potential contact in your search. Many newspapers are also available on the Internet.

National Publications / Journals

There are a number of published resources that list national and international career opportunities, such as The Business Weekly, The Chronicle of Higher Education, ACCESS: Opportunities in Nonprofit Organizations, Art Search, and Environmental Job Opportunities. Most of these publications can be found on the Internet.

Job Vacancy Listings

In order to supplement (or bypass) the want ad route, employers often post job openings internally and recruit applicants from within the organization. Many employers send vacancy listings directly to college and university Career Centers and faculty members. The Internet is also popular source for job listings. In addition, organizations’ websites typically link to career opportunities and outline the procedures for applying. Check with the Career Center and your academic department for job search websites in your career field.

Professional Associations

Once you choose a general career field, it is helpful to know its professional organizations. By belonging to these organizations you will be informed of major conferences (which may have job fairs) and other networking opportunities. Check the National Trade and Professional Association Directory or the Encyclopedia of Associations in the Career Center to obtain a list of professional organizations that provide services useful in a job search.

These services usually include:

Yellow Pages

The Internet and most public libraries have telephone books for major cities. Use the yellow pages and business sections to identify companies or organizations that might be seeking individuals with your skills. The yellow pages are a good way to find smaller companies or businesses that may not be listed in employer directories published by the Chamber of Commerce.

Temporary / Employment Agencies

Recent changes in the economy and corporate management philosophies have increased the respectability and importance of temping. Some companies only hire individuals who have ‘temped’ for them because it is an effective means of screening. However, if you choose to register with a placement agency, carefully read the fine print on the contract you sign. We recommend you work with an agency only if the employer pays the fee.

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How Did You Get Started?

What Are Some Of The Jobs For Which Your Organization Seeks Candidates?

How Specialized Is Your Work?

What Are The Lifestyle Considerations?

What Are The Lifestyle Considerations?

What Is The Employment Outlook?

To Find Out About The Organization:

To Find Out About The Department:

To Find Out About A Particular Position:

To Find Out How You Might Fit Into This Organization And Department:

To Find Out About The Hiring Process:

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