So the time has arrived for you to start your job search. Looking for a job, be it part-time, internship, or your first professional position, is all about sales. To make the analogy bluntly, you are the "product" and you need to convince an employer to "buy" you. And just like a salesperson selling any product, you need to develop a marketing plan.
1. Decide what you are selling. Know what sets you apart. If you are applying for a degree-required position, all applicants will meet this basic criterion. You need to know what about you, beyond your degree, sets you apart. Maybe it's your 4.0 GPA, the leadership experience you gained through campus clubs, the internship you had, or the part-time job that allowed you to develop great customer service skills. Everyone has something special to offer--it's your job to know what it is and convey this to an employer. If you're wondering what your key selling points are, a Career Development Center (CDC) career specialist can assist you with the self-assessment process.
2. Identify your customer base. Because different industries and different types of employers will be looking for different qualifications and recruiting in different ways, identifying your audience is important. If you're confused about this, there are multiple resources available in the Career Resource Center, including "What Can I Do With My Major" handouts for each major, employer directories by industry and CDC career specialists to help you with career direction and decision-making.
3. Develop your advertising and marketing materials. Selling yourself on paper (usually the first step) includes creating an error-free and targeted resume (possibly several different versions), getting together a cover letter template which you can customize to individual employers/opportunities and securing references and letters of recommendation. Pick up the CDC Career Development Guide for resume and cover letter samples and guidelines, meet with a CDC career specialist for a resume critique, or attend one of our many WWW (Weekly Wednesday Workshops) on these topics.
4. Get your ads in front of your customers. Don't limit yourself to the Internet or want ads. Get out there and network, join applicable professional associations, participate in on-campus interviews, attend job fairs, identify targeted employers and contact them about opportunities, etc. A CDC career specialist can help you to develop a personalized job search plan.
5. Make your pitch. The resume only gets you the interview; it's the interview that gets you the job. Make sure your interviewing skills are polished; prepare for questions; do research on the company, industry, and position; dress professionally, etc. CDC offers mock interviews, books, and other resources to perfect this last but crucial step in the process.
The Career Development Center is here to assist you throughout your career decision-making and job search processes. Stop by Math/Psych 204, visit our website at http://www.careers.umbc.edu, drop us an email at careers@umbc.edu or call us at (410) 455-2216.
Lorie Logan-Bennett is assistant director of career development and placement.
