There are a variety of strategies you may use when conducting a job search. The two primary goals are to locate job vacancies and identify employers. Searching for a job can be thought of as a full-time job. This is why it is important to perform a self-evaluation to determine what it is you want to do and then be active and proactive in your job search. Chances are an employer is not going to find you, but you need to make sure you are actively seeking them.
Locating Job Vacancies
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Job Searching
- Utilize #HireTruman to search for jobs and internship opportunities posted by employer partners specifically interested in Truman students and alum.
- If you are looking for an on-campus job, please visit Trupositions.
- Career Expo
- Every semester the Career Center hosts a Career Expo with approximately 100 employers from a variety of fields and locations.
- On-Campus Recruiting
- Employers visit Truman throughout the school year to interview candidates for full-time positions and internships.
- Networking
- Did you know 75% of jobs are not posted? This showcases the importance of networking!
- Professional Associations
- Join as a student member to begin networking with professionals in the field you want to pursue. Attend meetings of civil organizations as a guest of someone you know and use the opportunity to network.
- Social and Professional Networking Sites
- State/Employment Agency Services
- Temporary Agencies
- Trade Newspapers/Periodicals
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Direct Employer Contact
Researching Employers
To effectively sell yourself as a job candidate, you need to persuade the employer you are a good fit for that employer’s needs. You cannot present yourself as a match if you do not know enough about the employer to do so. In interviews, employers expect you to arrive with knowledge of background information—products and services, financial statistics, locations, mission and history, and company culture. You have to be able to answer the critical question of why you would like to work for that employer—and not sound like you would take any job. Research also helps you formulate intelligent and appropriate questions to ask in your interview.
Targeted Job Searching
- Identify and research companies
- Read company websites, business journals, and popular business magazines
- Contact people within the organization
- Network online
- Stay on the radar screen of the company
- Keep the traditional search methods going
Biggest Job Search Mistakes
- Not knowing what you want to do
- Not following up
- Not networking
- Errors in your résumé and cover letter
- Poor interviewing skills
- Lack of knowledge about the company/country (if you’re looking for an internship abroad, check out Goinglobal to get relevant information for your application materials, the hiring process and the country)
- Applying for too few jobs
Job Search Tips
- Stay positive—don’t appear desperate
- Break down the search into manageable units
- Make sure your product is polished
- Be upbeat, friendly, and positive in each interaction
- Don’t undervalue or overprice yourself
- Tailor your résumé and cover letter to the specific job in which you are applying
Social Media and the Job Search
As social media is becoming a preferred method of communication, employers are increasingly looking at candidates’ social media sites. In fact, one third of all employers use social media in the hiring process. Employers can use the information found on your social media to determine your professionalism, your character, and skills. This can help you get an interview but it can also prevent you from getting the interview. Be sure to check your social media pages before conducting your job search. View your pages through the perspective of a potential employer.
Job and Salary Negotiation
Salary negotiation takes tact, skill, and research. Don’t forget that salary is not the only factor in taking an offer. Benefits, cost-of-living, geographic location, work environment, and corporate culture also need to be considered. Look at the whole picture. While doing your research, you need to also figure out what you’re worth before you start to negotiate. In order to evaluate your options, you should clearly identify what you want and what you need.
Here are some aspects of the job to weigh:
- Position
- Start date
- Salary
- Moving
- Bonus
- Benefits
Successful and realistic negotiations embrace five principles based on the knowledge that the salary you begin a job with reflects your value to an organization and typically determines future salary increases. These five principles are:
- Research
- Self-confidence
- Recognition of mutual needs
- Calculated timing
- Evaluation and communication
Students who are interested in working abroad should use Goinglobal to research countries and the opportunities available. Login information is your Truman username and password. Goinglobal has a partner site-specific to USA cities, USA Career Services access the using your Truman username and password.
Students who are interested in working in the Arts industry can use ArtSearch. To obtain the login credentials, please email careers@truman.edu.
