Searching for your first full-time job can be quite stressful (and a full-time job in itself!). This section will introduce you to effective strategies to search for jobs and expand your professional network.
Take a moment to define what you are looking for in a career. Specify your ideal role, goals, community, qualifications, and interests to narrow your field and gain a better understanding of how job ads are relevant for you. Looking beyond formal titles and tasks, think about your interests, what you enjoy doing, and how they may relate to your ideal occupation.
Compile a list and schedule of job applications and businesses that you have applied to or are interested in contacting. Having the company name, contact information, website address, and application deadline will help you maintain organization, avoid miscommunication, and reduce stress. By writing down the application deadlines and websites, you can more easily create a relevant schedule for prioritizing and completing applications.
Through experiences with past employers, supervisors, peers, acquaintances, and leaders in your field of interest; you can build a community of people who can speak to your abilities and expertise. While job searching, connect and reach out with inquiries about potential jobs. Many businesses begin their applicant pool internally, and by building a network and personal brand through professional development events and websites such as LinkedIn, you can increase your visibility and job searching success.
Resume reviews, interview practice, career counselors, and development opportunities are excellent services offered by the Center for Career and Professional Development as ways to specify your goals, grow your network, and gain professional insight and experience. Our online resources such a Big Interview can further enhance your career field knowledge and preparation for the next step in the job-search process: Interviewing.
DID YOU KNOW: Did you know... Up to 80% of vacant jobs are never posted online? You are five times more likely to be hired if you are referred by someone? That’s why it’s important to use a variety of job search strategies rather than rely on generic job search engines alone.
THE 80/20 PLAN: ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE STRATEGIES
Based on our experiences working with students and alumni, most say they rely on online job boards. While this is certainly a popular strategy (especially post-COVID-19), the problem is, most other people are also mostly relying on online job boards. When you search for positions on large job boards like LinkedIn.com, you’re also competing with more people who are searching for and seeing the same positions. We recommend you spend 80% of your time using active strategies and 20% of your time using passive strategies.
ACTIVE STRATEGY:
Attending networking events
Connecting with professional organizations
Pro-actively contacting organizations
Customizing resumes and cover letters for each employer and position
Creating a personalized job search and career path strategy
PASSIVE STRATEGY:
Searching general or industry-specific job search sites
Sending generic resumes and cover letters
Applying to “anything and everything”
Creating a LinkedIn profile and leaving it
Creating an online portfolio website
Sample 80/20 Plan at 10 hours per week
ACTIVE STRATEGY (approx. 8 hours per week)
Identify and contact 3 – 5 new contacts per week
Plan and conduct 3 networking meetings (informational interviews, for example)
Log in daily to LinkedIn and complete 2 – 3 actions (ex: posting or responding to relevant topics, reaching out to employers or UPM alumna in your field, following potential employers and their pages, etc.)
Attend 1-2 networking events per month (webinars, online conferences, etc.)
Analyze each job position and make necessary changes before applying
PASSIVE STRATEGY (approx. 2 hours per week)
Spend 10 minutes/ day reviewing job alerts and job boards
Apply to 1-2 jobs per day via job boards
Update spreadsheet of applications submitted
CRAFTING YOUR 30-SECOND COMMERCIAL
The key to a successful interview or networking opportunity is setting a positive first impression. By preparing a 30-second commercial, you will have a concise overview of your experience, strengths, skills, achievements, and goals. This will be useful in a variety of settings including networking events, career fairs, and job interviews whenever responding to “Tell me about yourself.”
DID YOU KNOW: Did you know... Up to 80% of vacant jobs are never posted online? You are five times more likely to be hired if you are referred by someone? That’s why it’s important to use a variety of job search strategies rather than rely on generic job search engines alone.
Your 30-second commercial should:
Identify who you are and what your goals are
Highlight a few strengths and accomplishments
Show how you can bring added value to an organization
Be concise (hence, 30 seconds)
When should I use my 30-second commercial?
During your interview: Your commercial can help you answer questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “What are your greatest strengths?” and “What can you bring to this position?”
In a Cover Letter: Your commercial can highlight your background and key abilities.
At professional/ social/ organizational meetings: You can use your commercial to introduce yourself and to network with others.
Guidelines for creating your 30-second commercial
Use concise and clear language
Sell professional abilities and experiences
Emphasize your strengths and link them to the needs of the employer
Use descriptive statements or specific examples of your acquired skills and abilities
State the kind of position you’re seeking
Speak clearly and with confidence
Link your knowledge, skills and experience to the position and/or the employer
Building your 30 Second Commercial
First sentence: Include your name, school, degree and major. If you are currently a student, you can mention when you anticipate graduating.
Middle sentences: State your relevant experience. For example, mention your employer, your role, the skills you used and developed as well as the accomplishments and results you are proud of. Mention your future career goals.
Last sentences: Briefly relay how your background might benefit the listener. Ask for his/her suggestions on who else you might speak with for advice regarding your strengths.
After you have engaged the contact in conversation, don’t forget to ask for a referral by saying something like “Do you have any advice for me or can you suggest any other people I should contact?”
Your Sample 30 Seconds Commercial: Start with a template
Greeting: Hello, my name is _________________. Experience: I am a ______________________ studying ______________________ at Western Carolina University. Interest/Passion: I am mainly interested in ______________________. Strengths: My strengths include ___________________, ______________________, and ______________________. Brief Example: Last summer, I worked at ____________________ and was able to ______________________. Goal: I am looking to gain further experience in ______________________.
MAKING THE MOST OUT OF A CAREER FAIR
Before the fair:
Research employers, schools, and organizations attending each event by visiting jobcat.wcu.edu and clicking on Events.
Create a list of companies you are interested in visiting and prepare some questions to ask the recruiters.
Update or create a resume listing your achievements and experiences. For a review of your document, schedule an appointment with the CCPD or come in during drop-in hours.
During the fair:
When you first enter, grab a map or brochure to find the locations of the companies that most interest you.
Make sure to engage the recruiters; smile and ask questions to begin conversations. Use your resume to help craft your 30-second commercial.
Be mindful of the recruiter’s time and try to ask the most relevant questions. Grab any business cards or information that is offered at the employers’ tables so that you can review the materials later.
After the fair:
Organize any informative materials and notes you obtained at the fair.
If you were given any contact information, make sure to follow up with an email, note, or call thanking the company and recruiter for the conversation and to remind them of your interest in the field.
For any employers of high interest, search their website for current job listings and apply for any open position of interest.
Contact Us
BC-121, Male Students' Section, University of Prince Mugrin, Madinah, Saudi Arabia