Depending on the field, a job search can take around 6 months of active searching (more than 15 hours per week) to find and obtain the job you want. It can be even longer in a tight job market. With that in mind, here is one way to plan your time:
Experience Stage – One year from graduation
- Concentrate on gaining related experience through internships, part-time jobs, service learning, volunteering, or involvement in student clubs related to your field.
- Start building your network and developing your references (from supervisors and faculty).
Preparation & Research Stage – Six months from graduation
- Get all your job search materials in order. Have your resume and a version of your cover letter reviewed by Career Development Services staff.
- Develop and practice your interviewing skills, one of the most important elements of the job search. You can schedule mock interviews with Career Development Advisors as one way to practice.
- Determine your search strategy based on the type of job you are pursuing.
- Conduct research on the industry and on all the companies you are interested in.
- If you are considering moving to another city, conduct research on the companies in that city.
- Talk to people in the field to learn the most effective ways to break into it. Keep building your network.
Application Stage – Three months from graduation
- Ensure you have professional business attire for the interview process. If you need professional clothing but lack the resources to obtain it, Azul’s Attire can provide you with up to one free professional outfit per semester.
- Start applying to active job postings.
- Start using and keep building your network.
- Update your contact options.
- Put a professional sounding message on your phone voicemail that includes your name.
- Use a conservative, easy-to-use email address.
- Google yourself and check your social media pages. Remove all inappropriate content and/or adjust your privacy settings. Also, make sure your profile pictures are professional!
The job search strategy you utilize may depend heavily on the career or field you are pursuing. Every field – whether it is public relations, hospitality, education, health care, law enforcement, or sales – has aspects of the recruitment process that are specific to that industry. Part of your preparation for the job search will be to become more knowledgeable about your field’s recruitment process. Also, if you are conducting out-of-area job searches, your strategy will likely have to rely on more web-based resources than in-person networking. Overall, the most effective job searches usually involve utilizing a combination of strategies and resources.