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I need to find a job.
How do I get started?

Looking for a job can be quite challenging. In fact, it can be a bit like doing detective work. There are many jobs available, but you want to find YOUR job---one that gives YOU a sense of satisfaction and fits into YOUR overall career plan.

One of the main things you need to know is that getting a job is a job in itself. Many students (and others) have an unrealistic view of the time required for a job search. College students can expect to spend from 6 to 9 months searching for employment. It can take longer for international students. If you are still in school, you need to dedicate 7-8 hours per week for your search. After graduation, or if you are unemployed, your search should become a full-time effort. Looking for employment then becomes your full-time job. Remember that if you are unemployed, a recruiter may question what you are doing with your time. You certainly want them to see you as a serious candidate for employment.

I. Four Basic Steps
The job search is comprised of four basic steps: (1) Create a plan, (2) Get equipped, (3) Take action, and (4) Follow-up. Let's take a look at each step in more detail.
1. Create a plan
Your search will be a lot more effective if you have determined the kind of work you want to do and then established a strategy to find that work.
  1. You won't get very far in your job search if you don't know what kind of job you are seeking. So, the first step is to identify the exact things you want to do in your job.

    (If you have no idea, then you need to take a step back and do some career exploration. If you have an idea of the general area, but aren't sure of the exact job title, then investigate the job titles in your area of interest. For either situation, you will find useful tools to help you in the Career Exploration section of this website.)

  2. The next step is to decide where you want to live. Those open to relocation will find more opportunities available to them. Keep in mind that if you limit yourself to a specific location, you may be limiting your employment options as well.

    If you do have a specific location in mind, identify potential employers there through LDS Employment offices, internet searches, information from local Chambers of Commerce and/or other business directories.

  3. Next, you must determine which employers are the best match for you. You will need to make some decisions about the types of organizations that fit your needs, work style, and personality. Remember to investigate the organization's culture, vision and values, the management style, the size of the organization and other issues that are important to you.
  4. And, finally, you must determine your specific job search strategy and how much time you will allocate to accomplish it.

    What methods will you use? Will you participate in on-campus recruiting and career fairs? Will you use a network of contact you've established? Will you cold-call on employers? Will you explore internet job postings? Will you use a direct mail campaign? Will you explore company web sites? Will you review classified ads and other posted job notices?

    Here's a hint. While some of these methods are far more effective than others, it's best to utilize multiple approaches and not limit yourself to only one. (Want to know more about the effectiveness of these strategies? Click here for more information.) The more methods you employ, the more likely you are to find opportunities.

2. Get equipped
Review the plan you created. Is your "job search toolkit" ready?

Planning Tools
When you determined your job goal and the strategies to reach it, did you establish daily and weekly objectives? Did you determine the amount of time you will allocate to identify target organizations, research, make contacts, follow up? Did you schedule specific activities to get your search in action? Have you organized your time just as you would for a regular work day? Have you determined a way to record all of your appointments, resume distributions, phone calls and other activities related to your search?

Your Personal Marketing Tools: Do they "sell" you?

Cover Letter
The cover letter is the first thing the employer sees. Make it work for you! It's like an invitation. You are inviting employers to read your resume. If you don't get this right, they won't go any further.

Review your cover letter with this evaluation tool. Do you need to revise your document? Refer to the Cover Letter resources available on this website.


Resume:
Do I really need one? YES.

Why? An employer doesn't know you exist- much less know about your specific skills, education and experience that relate to the job. It's up to you to provide a written presentation to impress that employer with your qualifications for the job. A resume is your personal career marketing document. Make it count! The purpose is not to get you a job but rather to get you an interview.

It's estimated that recruiters spend approximately 15 seconds to 3 minutes viewing each resume. Will yours make it to the "yes" stack? First impressions count. So, yes, the overall appearance of your document matters. And of course the content is important. The selection process is based on the strength of your document. That means your qualifications must stand out. Focus on accomplishments and not just duties and responsibilities. Remember that your resume is like an advertisement selling a product. The product is YOU!

Review your resume with this worksheet as a guide. Then grade it with the BYU Hawaii Resume Evaluation Tool. Need help starting a resume or strengthening the one you have? Check out the resources available on the
Resume page of this website.


Elevator Introduction (or 30 Second Commercial)
Are you prepared to introduce yourself to employers? When networking, greeting recruiters at Career Fairs, or even answering that old standard "Tell me about yourself" in the job interview, you'll need a short 30-60 second personal description (elevator intro) for self-introduction.

This is not the time to give your life story. Instead focus on your background, education, experience, key skills and interests, that relate to the job you seek. Make it a quick overview of who you are and what you can do.

Need to polish that introduction? Check out the Elevator Introduction resources on this website.


Interview Skills
To impress an employer you must be well prepared and understand the value of what you have to offer. To relate your assets to the position and the organization, you must know yourself. Review your self-assessment results. Be prepared to substantiate all points with information."

"You also must be familiar with the position and the organization so you demonstrate how and why you will be an effective employee. " (Career Development Manual, 3rd edition, Career Services, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2001, p.104.)

Prepare in advance. Be ready! Review the lists of sample questions often asked in job interviews and formulate possible responses based on your education, experience and abilities. Practice the interview. Utilize the InterviewStream mock interview system available in the Career Center. Refer to the many interview resources available on this website.

And don't forget.first impressions count. Do you have appropriate interview attire? Is it cleaned and pressed? Are you well-groomed? Do you know proper business etiquette? Will you make a good impression?

Review the Professional Etiquette and Professional Images resources on this website.

3. Take Action!
All the planning in the world doesn't help if you never implement the plan.
  1. Work your network. After all, this is the #1 most effective way to find employment. Experts estimate that the majority of openings are never advertised but are filled through "networking" or "word of mouth". It's known as the "hidden job market."

    (Need more help with this? Review the sections on this website for Information Interviews and Networking. These can provide you with great leads and potential opportunities.)

  2. Implement your search strategies. Keep track on your activity log.
4. Follow-up
You've got to be pro-active if you want to be successful.
  1. Follow-up all contact--either by phone, email, or posted mail-- with employers.
  2. Send thank-you letters. Manners can pay off big dividends. That is one way you can differentiate yourself from others.
  3. Make follow-up phone calls. This can be difficult for some people, but it is very important. If your cover letter or other prior communication indicated you would follow-up with a phone call, then you absolutely must call!
II. The Cold Hard Facts: The Realities of Job Searching
  1. It's work...hard work. There is no other way to describe it.
  2. It's stressful. Let's face it. This can create anxiety and/or fear for most people and can even damage your ego.
  3. It can undermine your self-confidence. There will be times when you feel powerless or as though you have little to no control over the outcomes.
  4. Rejection is an unavoidable part of job searching. There will be obstacles, barriers, breakdowns in communication, disappointments, fears, self-doubt, missed opportunities. This must be balanced with positive approaches and activities or your ego can get damaged.
  5. Without clearly defined career goals you will feel uncertainty and become discouraged.
  6. You must use your time effectively.
  7. Job hunting requires a significant investment of time, money, energy, and ego. It demands hard work. Many people put more effort into buying a car than they do in choosing a career.
  8. Getting a job doesn't "just happen." Many people take the path of least resistance and approach the job search passively.
  9. Job-hunting requires putting yourself in the right place at the right time. Careful planning can help you achieve that.
  10. It takes time. You must start early!
(Adapted from Training for Life, 8th edition, Fred J. Hecklinger and Bernadette M. Black, Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, IA, 2003, p. 170.)
III. Job Search Methods
An effective job-searcher uses multiple methods of searching. Certainly college students would be wise to utilize the resources available on campus: the Career Center, the YCareers electronic job board, on-campus recruiting events, career fairs and alumni networking. The most effective job search methods are networking and direct or "cold" calls on employers.

Also utilize internet job postings, online professional networks, classified ads, and notices from professional associations. Direct mail copies of your resumes to potential employers. Apply online at company websites. Post your resume on the internet. Go to company's human resources departments and fill out applications. Use a staffing agency or executive search firm. Utilize government workforce agencies. Use the resources provided by LDS Employment Resource Centers around the world. Be pro-active and use multiple methods.

IV. Want an International Career? » Learn More
V. Seeking Federal Employment? (for U.S. citizens)
VI. Self-Employment/Entrepreneurship
VII. Online Application Process
VIII. On-Campus Recruitment
General Information
You must have a YCareers account to register for on-campus recruitment. Information sessions and interview appointments are scheduled through the YCareers.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for all appointments. Remember that visiting employers are busy professionals and expect you to respect their time. Be early and be prepared! Dress professionally and be well-groomed. If you have questions, refer to the Professional Image section of our website.

On-Campus Recruitment: Student and Employer Rights and Responsibilities
» Learn More
Cancellations and No-Shows
If you cannot keep your appointment as scheduled, notify the Career Center . When you fail to cancel your interviews in a timely way or do not appear for your appointments, your actions reflect poorly on you as a person and on the university as a whole. You are inconveniencing the employer and depriving another student of an interview opportunity. Your actions could have serious implications for the university. Be responsible!

  • You must cancel interviews no later than 2 business days before the scheduled interview. Call the Career Center at 675-3533.
  • Interview Day Emergencies: In the event of a sudden illness or extreme personal emergency on the interview day, students are expected to contact the Career Center, 675-3533, no later than 9:00 a.m. the day of the scheduled interview.

IX. Career Portfolio
XI. GREAT TOOLS!