Developing a Job Search Action Plan

To jump-start your job search, it is important to first develop an action plan. You need to know what type of jobs you are interested in and also consider which jobs will provide the most valuable work experience to help you find a full-time position upon graduation. Each student may have a very different action plan. The following is a list of suggested steps to begin your job search: 

1. Determine the type of job you are interested in. Do you prefer an on- or off-campus position? Are there specific industries or areas you would like to work in? 
2. Determine the number of hours you want to work on a weekly basis. Studies show that students who work 10-15 hours while enrolled in classes find greater success in their academics. 
3. Determine the hours you are available to work. Some jobs will require set hours, while others will have flexible scheduling. It is important to know a company's or department's expectations to ensure you can fulfill the requirements of the job while still balancing your academic responsibilities. 
4. Get your professional documents ready. It is important to have a resume and a cover letter ready. The Career Center has many resources to help you in creating these professional documents. You can also schedule an individual meeting with the Career Center for help. 
5. Create a job search time line. If you want to begin working in the fall semester, July or early August is an ideal time to begin your job search. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to search and apply for jobs without getting into a time crunch. Planning ahead will make the job search process much less stressful. To stay motivated, create milestones for yourself (e.g., apply to five positions each week, follow up on applications every week). 
6. Begin your job search. Log into Workday and search the various opportunities available! Instructions on how to search for jobs in Workday can be found here.