2008 Woodie Awards
The early bird gets the job
Get a head start on employment search
Janet Gilfeather
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Features
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Most seniors, myself included, are overwhelmed with the thought of having to look for a job. Many students don't even know how and when to begin the job search process. So what makes me so qualified to give advice on this subject, when I'm just a senior myself?
Well, I'm working at the Center for Career Services this semester, so I am well aware of all of the career resources available to students and I want to inform you about them. I sat down with Chet Koulik, the associate director for the Center for Career Services, to find out how seniors should begin searching for jobs.
According to Koulik, the job search process usually takes from 8 to 10 months, so seniors should start as soon as possible.
"If you start now, there is a greater chance that you will have a job when you graduate," Koulik said. .
However, this doesn't mean that seniors should already be sending out resumes and going on interviews. There is a lot of preparation that needs to be done first.
Students should start by fine-tuning their resumes. Companies receive so many different resumes from graduating seniors looking for jobs that it is important to make sure that yours is well written and formatted, so that it stands out. Employers decide which candidates are called in for interviews based on their resumes. So, you must have a perfected resume just to be considered for a position.
Research is another important step in the job search process. You can research employers you're interested in by looking at the company's Web site. You should be knowledgeable about any organization for which you are thinking of working. It will make the interview process go smoothly and impress employers if you can carry an informed conversation with them about their organization. Knowing information about an organization shows the employer that you took the time to research the company because you are genuinely interested in working there.
You also want to research the corporate culture of organizations. One company may offer a high salary for an entry-level position, but it may have high turnover or low employee morale. It is important to learn about the corporate culture of companies because you want to be happy at your job. Researching the company can help you find a work atmosphere that matches your personality and work ethic.
Well, I'm working at the Center for Career Services this semester, so I am well aware of all of the career resources available to students and I want to inform you about them. I sat down with Chet Koulik, the associate director for the Center for Career Services, to find out how seniors should begin searching for jobs.
According to Koulik, the job search process usually takes from 8 to 10 months, so seniors should start as soon as possible.
"If you start now, there is a greater chance that you will have a job when you graduate," Koulik said. .
However, this doesn't mean that seniors should already be sending out resumes and going on interviews. There is a lot of preparation that needs to be done first.
Students should start by fine-tuning their resumes. Companies receive so many different resumes from graduating seniors looking for jobs that it is important to make sure that yours is well written and formatted, so that it stands out. Employers decide which candidates are called in for interviews based on their resumes. So, you must have a perfected resume just to be considered for a position.
Research is another important step in the job search process. You can research employers you're interested in by looking at the company's Web site. You should be knowledgeable about any organization for which you are thinking of working. It will make the interview process go smoothly and impress employers if you can carry an informed conversation with them about their organization. Knowing information about an organization shows the employer that you took the time to research the company because you are genuinely interested in working there.
You also want to research the corporate culture of organizations. One company may offer a high salary for an entry-level position, but it may have high turnover or low employee morale. It is important to learn about the corporate culture of companies because you want to be happy at your job. Researching the company can help you find a work atmosphere that matches your personality and work ethic.