As you progress through your senior year in the College of Business, securing a job after graduation may seem daunting. Navigating the job search process can be complex, and timelines can vary. Utilizing a combination of proactive and reactive job search strategies will maximize your efforts, increase your chances of success, and potentially help you land your dream job.
Proactive Approach
This approach involves taking initiative and actively seeking out opportunities. These strategies might push you outside your comfort, or require more energy and effort. While they may feel less direct, these techniques can lead to your most ideal opportunities.
What To Know
Proactive strategies help you control the process. You can’t guarantee the outcome, but you can direct where you network and who you ask for an informational conversation.
Proactive Strategies
- Building a Target Company List
- Building a Network of Connections
- Conducting Informational Interviews
- Accessing the Flash Mentoring Program
- Developing a Personal Brand
- Attending Networking Events and Info Tables
- Parlaying Internship Into Full-Time Job
Reactive Approach
This approach involves responding effectively, and strategically, to existing job openings as they arise. As job applications have moved online, the ease of applying with a single click means a higher volume of applications to stand out from. Targeting your materials, and potentially connecting a proactive outreach strategy alongside your application, could work best.
What To Know
There is a lot you cannot control in the open job market. Much depends on what jobs are posted and where they are posted. It can feel overwhelming when success isn’t happening. Reactive strategies work best when paired with proactive strategies.
Reactive Strategies
- Searching Relevant Online Job Boards
- Submitting Targeted Resumes and Cover Letters
- Attending Career Fairs and Recruiting Events
Tips For A Successful Job search
- Set clear goals for your job search. What types of roles, companies, industries, are you targeting?
- Start early. Proactive strategies are like planting seeds, and can begin multiple semesters before graduating.
- Network strategically by reaching out to professionals and alumni in your field of interest.
- Build a strong personal brand with LinkedIn and your resume.
