If getting a job when you’re pressed for time has always been a problem for you, make sure you utilize all of your available resources before you throw in the towel.
Taylor Barfield, junior at Johns Hopkins University, knew that he had to find a job as soon as he started college. He says, “[a]s soon as I graduated from high school I went online and Googled JHU Student Employment, and up popped our student employment website with dozens of job listings for undergraduate students.” The job that he wound up choosing had nothing to do with his future career, but he says, “it was stable, well paying, and allowed [him] to have an income while searching for lab work.” When he had more time to complete his search, Barfield decided to email the ‘principal investigator’ of the lab. Barfield lucked out because the PI answered his e-mail within a week.
Moral of the story: Use online databases from your university, Craigslist.com, and Monster.com to find positions quickly or for positions more specific to your major.
Bianca Desroches, junior at Northeastern University, stresses the importance of using professors as a connection when looking for jobs. She just happened to luck into a position (that perfectly matched her intended minor) with one of her old professors. In addition, Desroches has used her school’s online portal for job postings. This resource is always great because it is provided by your university, so you know that it is reputable.
Desroches’ biggest tip though: “it comes down to…networking and never underestimating the people from your past. You never know how they can end up helping you in the future or how one little favor could end up opening a job opportunity.”
Moral of the story: Use the job-finding trifecta—University databases or career centers, professors, and your network.
Nikki Jamin, junior at Loyola University, says that looking for future jobs can even start by networking with people at the company of your current or past positions. She says, “[a]t my current internship, I know they may not be hiring personally, but by making connections with colleagues it has helped me in my job search. Because I am open, personable, and willing to network at work, people have offered to help me with my job search and send my resume to other companies they have connections with.”
Jamin also remarks that she has not fully utilized her LinkedIn profile to her advantage. “LinkedIn has sent me emails about jobs I might be interested in,” she says,” so I should start looking at those. They are probably tailored to my interests and degree, so that’s a step in the right direction to finding a job.” Whether on or off line, just remember that it is crucial to “have a professional mindset at events, jobs, internships, etc. because you never know who you’ll meet and who is willing to help you find a job. Jobs are out there; you just need to find the right lead and connection to get it,” says Jamin.
Moral of the story: Take advantage of your past and current employers to point you in the right direction; and don’t forget that if you invested the time to make a LinkedIn profile, make sure you use it.
In the end, it’s all about keeping your eyes peeled to snatch up a job on a limited time schedule.
