Start Early
Searching for any job takes time, that first full-time job right out of school is going to take even longer to find. You should begin looking at least six months before you want to have the job. Spring graduates should begin looking in the fall. The U-M Career Center will have their big job fair and most organizations will be looking to hire for the next year during the fall semester.
Get Organized
It is hard to be a full-time student and conduct a job search so it is important that you stay organized. You should spend a certain amount of time each week on your job search and budget more time when you have slower school weeks. Set goals for the number of hours you will spend, how many resumes you will send out and the number of contacts you will make each week. Keep track of resumes and contacts. Develop a filing system to keep track of all paperwork and follow-up information.
Conduct Self-Assessment
During a job search it is important to be able to sell yourself. You should be able to do so in your cover letter, on your resume, and during an interview. To effectively sell yourself you need a firm grasp on what you have to offer to the organization. Assess your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. Have examples ready to demonstrate all of these. Don’t just say that you have good communication skills; be able to back up that statement with a firm example. (This will help you immensely in writing your cover letter and in interviewing.) Decide what career areas you are interested in and what type of organizations you would like to work in.
Develop an Effective Resume
Utilize the information that you learned about yourself while conducting your self assessment to sell yourself to the employer on paper. Articulate your strengths and your skills. Take advantage of resume writing services offered in the Kinesiology Office of Student Services and in the U-M Career Center. Make sure that someone critiques your resume, as it will be the first impression a potential employer has of you.
Targeted Mailings and Phone Calls
Contact employers that you are interested in directly, because there are certain organizations that you want to work for or because you are geographically limited. Begin by compiling a large list of employers in your field.
Use various resources to compile the list. Visit the Kinesiology Career Resource Center (CRC) and U-M Career Center for books that may help. Call the Chamber of Commerce in the area you are interested in. Utilize the National Associations in your field. Think about organizations that you have studied or read about for class.
Research the list to narrow it down to those that you are most interested. Use the website of the organization, journals, newspapers, magazines, and your network to find information.
Send resumes and cover letters to each that clearly detail your interest in them and what you can bring to them. Follow up with phone calls. Be ready to properly introduce yourself and to briefly explain what you are looking for and what you can bring to the employer over the phone.
Networking
Utilize people you know, friends, family, neighbors, professors, friends parents, parents of friends, former employer, intern employers and others, plus the people they know.
Begin with a list of contacts. Call or write the people on your list. Let them know that you are graduating from the University of Michigan, what degree you will be earning and what type of position you are looking for. Ask these people for help, for their contacts in the area you are listed in and arrange for informational interviews.
Be sure to send all former intern employers copies of your resume.
Follow-up all contact with your network with thank-you notes.
On-Campus Interviewing
On-campus interviewing means connecting directly with employers interested in hiring University of Michigan students. To participate you must register with the Career Center Connector through the U-M Career Center.
Career Fairs
Attend career fairs to network with several employer representatives in one setting. Begin by preparing a commercial for yourself by thinking about how to properly introduce yourself and what you want potential employers to learn about you in 30 seconds. Research the organizations attending the fair.
The U-M Career Center has several fairs throughout the year. Fairs are also offered by other schools or organizations that you can attend.
Be sure to dress professionally, bring copies of your resume, be prepared to ask and answer questions, and gather contact information.
Follow-up with thank you letters.
Advertisements
Look at advertisements in the newspaper or online. Think back to your self-assessment and what kinds of positions you are interested in. Utilize websites listed on the Kinesiology career links page, Kinesiology Job Postings site, and others you have learned about in classes or from friends.
Research the organization before applying. Then send a tailored resume and cover letter. Always be sure to follow the application directions in the ad.
Temporary Agencies
Sometimes the way to enter into a field or an organization is to begin through temporary work with a temporary agency. Research local temporary agencies. Be sure that you are going with a reputable firm that meets your needs and that works with your major or field. Meet with a representative from the agency to discuss your skills, abilities, goals and interests.
While working at the organization, even as a temporary employee, take your job seriously. Work hard and make a good impression. Be clear that you would be willing to take on more permanent work should it come available.
Remember…
You should always use multiple search methods. Do not rely on just one method or put all of your time into one type of job search. The above lists are just a few suggestions. Be sure to brainstorm others related to your field. Keep good accurate records and always follow-up during your job search. Again, job searching takes time. Be patient and utilize resources available to you in the Kinesiology Office of Student Services or the U-M Career Center.
Practice, prepare, and research for a good interview. Review job offers carefully, accept the one that is right for you, and withdraw yourself from other searches. Always keep your network aware of what is going on throughout your job search. And finally, prepare yourself for the professional world!
