Explore our guide below to help you with your search:
- Building a target list
- Understanding on-campus recruiting
- Tailoring your application materials
- Interacting with employers
Building a target list
Once you have a good sense of what kinds of organizations appeal to you, you’ll want to make a list of similar places to target in your city of interest. This valuable tactic can help focus your search. Don’t limit your list to organizations with posted openings. You can always request an informational interview to get the details on working in that city and ask for advice about conducting your search. You may even get hints about unposted positions or referrals.
Searching for postings online
It can be tempting to spend time searching for tangible positions posted on well-known job search web sites. Using major job search sites is not a bad idea; just don’t make it your only approach. While it may feel like the most direct way to find openings, this tactic takes a lot of time and yields few results. Those positions can be seen by anyone with access to the internet, so you’ll have a lot of competition. Also, don’t count on posting your resume somewhere and waiting for companies to come to you. Proactive searches yield the best results. Generally, the best places to look for postings online are websites for specific organizations and professional association websites.
Using Handshake and 12twenty@WashU
Handshake and 12twenty@WashU (for Olin MBA students) are the Center for Career Engagement’s online databases of jobs and internships. Unlike public job search databases, many positions in Handshake and 12twenty@WashU are posted as the result of relationships we’ve cultivated with employers from a variety of industries – from finance to arts – who are interested in WashU students. While we can’t guarantee you’ll find a position through us, you will want to consider jobs we are working hard to bring to you.
Understanding on-campus recruiting
We will help you find opportunities in any industry that interests you. Our career coaches have experience helping students land jobs in organizations ranging from social justice groups to entertainment companies to major corporations.
Some industries and companies have a tradition of coming to campus to recruit students. For example, business and engineering companies often have the resources to come to career fairs, host information sessions, and do on-campus interviews. They post their positions on Handshake and may even hire students to be company ambassadors. These on-campus recruiting activities are the most visible to students.
On the other hand, many industries (most of them!) are unable to predict their hiring needs several months in advance. Or, they do not have the human or financial resources to send recruiters to campus. We still reach out to them and ask them to post positions on Handshake and 12twenty@WashU, invite them to speak on campus, and present with us at events. However, you will benefit most from working with a career coach to learn how to network, seek opportunities and pursue leads.
When to conduct your search
When you conduct your research, begin doing informational interviews, and actually apply for positions will depend on the hiring timeline for organizations in your industry. Be careful to use this list as a general guide. There are plenty of exceptions and many organizations hire throughout the year.
Tailoring your application materials
Hiring managers read hundreds of applications each year, so yours must be tailored and well-writ- ten to garner serious consideration. Read the position description carefully and note the key skills or characteristics the employer is seeking.
Then think about examples of times you’ve demonstrated those skills and how your experience relates to the job you’re applying for. You’ll also want to articulate why you are a good fit for the culture of the organization.
This means that you will need to do a lot of research and brainstorming to prepare each resume and cover letter. Use your cover letter to convey how you can fill the employer’s needs, rather than talking about how the position will benefit you. Resist the urge to write a general cover letter and update a few lines here and there for various positions. This tactic is always obvious to employers and will keep you from getting an interview slot.
Interacting with employers
Most of the hiring decision is based on the impression you make interacting with employers. Your professionalism in emails, casual conversations, interviews, thank you letters and follow-up correspondence makes an impact and can be the factor that sets you apart from other candidates.
Take advantage of opportunities to interact with employers at events, career fairs and information sessions. Research the company and position ahead of time and come prepared with informed questions. Practice how you will introduce yourself and think about how you would like to be perceived. Make an appointment with your career coach to practice using good eye contact, a firm handshake and a confident conversational style. To an extent, you will be designing your professional identity or “brand.”
No matter how much research you do, interviewing skills take practice. Mock interviews at the Center for Career Engagement are highly recommended and many students find it helpful to do several.