The Job Search Process
© 2010 Infopeople Project.
(The Infopeople Project is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.)
1. Establish Your Career Objective
What You'll Hear From Job Seekers |
Goals/Tasks |
- I really don’t know what I want to do.
- I majored in ____ but I’m really good at ______.
- I want to do something that makes me happy!
- If I have to do the same boring thing one more day on my job…
- How can I be sure the job pays the type of salary I need to support my lifestyle?
- Will I have to go back to school if I want to change jobs?
- Will my skills, interests and values match the job?
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Self-assessment
- Personality
- Aptitude
- Interests
- Values
- Identify personal skills and abilities
Career exploration
- Research career types
- Research industries
- Research geographic locations
- Understand the career requirements
Career preparation
- Academic - major, classes, projects
- Vocational training
- Special certification
- Extracurricular - activities, clubs, leadership, sports
- Experience - work, internships, volunteering
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2. Prepare Job Search Tools
What You'll Hear From Job Seekers |
Goals/ Tasks |
- I need to create/revise my resume/cover letter.
- I need to send my resume electronically.
- I need to attach my cover letter.
- I need to fill out an online application.
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- Resume
- Cover letters
- References and letters of recommendation
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3. Find Hiring Companies
What You’ll Hear from Job-seekers |
Goals/Tasks |
- Which companies would hire a person with my skills and interests?
- I need to narrow my job search.
- What types of jobs might I find in a field of work (hospital, university, etc.)?
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- Identify employers
- Build and activate a career network
- Utilize employer research materials
- Attend job fairs
- Attend conferences and seminars in field of interest
- Prospect and follow up on referral leads
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4. Network (Social and Face-to-face)
What You’ll Hear from Job-seekers |
Goals/Tasks |
- Where can I find the names of the hiring managers of this company?
- Who can I speak to learn more about what a ___ really does on the job (informational interviews)?
- How can I find my old manager who has since left my former employer?
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- Make contact
- Learn about organizations
- Request and confirm interview
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5. Interview
What You’ll Hear from Job-seekers |
Goals/Tasks |
- How do I prepare for an interview?
- What types of questions might they ask me in an interview?
- How should I respond to difficult questions about my past jobs?
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- Prepare for the interview
- Phone interview
- Company-site interview
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