On the prowl: Helpful tips for job hunting
When it comes to looking for a job, most students are in the same boat.
Starting early is the key to getting a good job, said Randy Jensen, assistant director at USU’s Career Services Center. He recommended beginning the search at least before the fall semester of a student’s senior year in order to begin working after graduation.
To get started, Jensen suggested using Google to discover for which job title students actually want to apply. Researching jobs by title and reading the description will help students choose their favorites, Jensen said.
“Type in the job title and see what sites pop up,” he said.
The next tip Jensen gave was to search blogs for those that relate to the field students are interested in. Students can get a perspective of day-to-day life in certain jobs by reading blogs, he said.
Once students know what they want to do, they should research jobs by location, Jensen said. Find out what the market is like in the areas they would like to live.
“Most major cities have a Web site called jobbank.com,” Jensen said.
He also recommended www.careeraggie.usu.edu for a job search starting point.
The most effective way to get a job is to use networking, Jensen said. He said 80 percent of college graduates say they found a job through a network of friends, family and business associates.
Jensen suggested putting an online resume on networking sites, and tailoring the resume for the type of job students would like to get.
“Linked-in is probably the biggest Web site for professional resumes,” he said.
Jensen said students can stop by the Career Services Center daily between 1:30 and 3 p.m. for drop-in resume-building advice.
The Career Services Center is located on the ground floor of the University Inn, Room 102.
–brendon.butler@aggiemail.usu.edu