Job Searching 101
Welcome! Are you looking for a job this semester, but may be a bit unsure of where to start? You're in the right place.
Even if you aren't a job search professional and you don't have a lot of work experience on your resume, you can still find a good job - it's just a question of presenting your qualifications in best way possible. Check out our guide below!
If you have more questions about getting your job search started, please feel free to contact the SEO at finseo@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-4187.
How-To... Find a job with limited work experience!
Click the steps below for tips and valuable resources.
→ Step 1: Searching Job Postings
Be sure to check HoyaWorks! often as new positions are posted daily. HoyaWorks! is the Student Employment Office’s managed job board. Many on-campus and some off-campus employers with job openings will come to HoyaWorks! as their main way to recruit part-time student workers. Using HoyaWorks! you can search for open positions, submit applications, and more!
You can also sign up for JobMail, a feature that will send you an email when a new job is listed on our website - based on your selected job criteria. This way, you can be the first to submit an application. Don't just apply to one job, apply to many - that will increase your chances of landing an interview, or maybe two!
It's a good idea to start looking at what types of jobs are available and to set up your JobMail subscriptions before you start finalizing your resume and submitting applications. This will give you a good feel for what employers are seeking and what types of jobs may be a good fit for you. The more you know about the positions and opportunities that are available, the easier it will be to perfect your applications and get a great job!
For more information about using HoyaWorks! to find job postings and submit applications, please see our HoyaWorks! FAQ.
→ Step 2: Brainstorming
What have you done? Not just paid jobs, but in your life? Consider summer jobs, internships, student organizations (both leadership and participation), volunteer experience, and (in some cases) relevant course work. Essentially, you want to think about anything you contributed your time to in order to create a specific end result.
Consider what you learned or gained from the experience. Although you may not have had experience that directly relates to the position you are applying for, you may have acquired transferable skills or worked on projects that exemplify specific qualities that your future employer is looking for.
For more information about how to identify your transferable skills and how to make the most of these skills for your job search, check out this article on How to Identify Your Transferrable Skills (AOL Jobs and Career Builder).
Also consider what you accomplished during your experience. Did you train someone? Did you identify/solve a problem? Did you work on a project? What were you responsible for? These outcomes can show an employer what you're capable of - your strong points and achievements.
Make a list of all these items. Actually write it down so you have everything in front of you - even if it's just a list on your phone. Now you have a full list of great points about what will make you a great student employee, you just have to get this list organized - that's where your resume comes in aka Step 3.
→ Step 3: Tailoring Your Resume
Remember: Your resume should be different for every position you apply for. By tailoring your resume, you are able to highlight skills or experiences which meet the qualifications or requirements the employer is looking for in a candidate. Tips for tailoring a successful resume include:
Read the job posting carefully! You can use the job description and requirements to identify key words, skills, and qualities that are important to the employer. This is the best way to know what the employer really wants in an applicant.
If the job posting isn't very detailed, you can look up similar jobs to get a more general idea of the job responsibilities and requirements of the position. Try browsing occupations on the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to see overviews for a wide variety of jobs.
Cover all the basics. This includes: your contact information, education, experience, and skills. Most of the time, you can skip the Objective section - use that page space to focus on what you bring to the job instead.
Emphasize the skills and experience you brainstormed in Step One. Put your strongest points right at the top! Consider skills and experience you have that are relevant to the duties of the position. You need to tell future employers not only why you're great, but why you're great for this position.
Use strong action verbs to describe your experiences and relate them back to the position you are seeking. Try to make your verbs as impressive as the actions behind them. Stumped on how best to do this? Here is a list of Action Verbs for Use on Your Resume from the Cawley Career Education Center to get you started.
Make sure your layout is clear and easy to read. Employers need to be able to see your strongest points right away! Try to stay away from complex fonts and lots of colored text to make sure your resume will display well on all computers and in print. For a great guide on resume formatting, you may want to visit the Cawley Career Education Center site.
Keep your resume down to one page. Your resume is your chance to highlight your best qualities, but you want to be as concise as possible to be sure all of your best qualities are actually read by future employers!
Need Resume Inspiration? Check out the resumes for Jack Hoya and Jane Hoya for more ideas and tips on how to make a great resume with or without a ton of paid work experience.
Extra credit articles:
→ Step 4: Reach Out to Your References
Prepare your list of references. You shouldn't put your references directly on your resume, but that doesn't mean you won't need to prepare a references list - and it has to be more than just names on a page. Be sure to contact your references ahead of time so that you can be sure everyone is ready to back you up. Look into our How to Ask for a Reference guide for more information about reaching out to your best references.
→ Step 5: Writing a Cover Letter
While a resume briefly and concisely relates your previous experience and professional skills, a cover letter explains how your training and skills will directly benefit the employer. A cover letter expresses your motivation and why you want the job while showcasing your writing and communication skills. Although not all jobs require a separate cover letter, it is an important component to be prepared for in your job search.
The cover letter helps you make a good first impression on the employer, by allowing you to focus on how you are going to meet their needs. Clearly express why you want the job and how you would excel in the position. Personalize your cover letter to make it stand out, but make sure to only include relevant information. Above all, your cover letter should be succinct, high energy and engaging. If you'll be sending your resume via email, consider the body of that email to be your cover letter.
Use your resume as a rough outline for your cover letter. Begin your cover letter by getting straight to the point. Explain, in letter format, how your experience, qualification, achievements and skills make you the best candidate for the job. Take the opportunity to showcase your best traits and tie them directly to the position you are applying for. While the cover letter is a chance to highlight your talents, be cautious of being overly boastful. In the end, you need to be able to deliver everything you promise.
End your cover letter with an action close. An action close outlines the steps you will take in achieving your next goal: an interview. As you close your cover letter, explain how you plan to follow-up with the employer to schedule an interview or discuss the position. Throughout your close, maintain enthusiasm and of course be prepared to follow through with the action plan you set forth.
Bonus - Following Up: After submitting your application materials (resume, cover letter, etc.), you may want to follow up with the department to emphasize your top skills just one more time - but wait a minute. The application process is very involved both for you and for the hiring department, so don't follow up immediately. If you're not hearing back within a week, feel free to send an email to the department contact to re-affirm your interest in the position and to ask about their hiring timeline. For some tips on writing a great follow-up email, you may want to review Business Etiquette: 7 Ways to Make the Most of a Professional Email (Huffington Post).
Extra credit articles:
→ Step 6: Acing the Interview
The interview can be a high-stress component of the employment process. However, there are many ways to prepare and take advantage of this opportunity to shine and showcase skills and traits that may not come across on paper.
Learn as much as you can about the company or organization you are applying to ahead of time. When in doubt - Google your future employer!
Practice answering interview questions with a friend before your interview so that you have all of your best answers and anecdotes ready. The Cawley Career Education Center has some great information on How to Answer Job Interview Questions as well as a list of General Interview Questions you can use to practice.
Be sure you're dressed appropriately for the interview. For many part-time student jobs, you won't need to wear a suit to the interview, but you will want to look professional. Try for business dress or business casual - at least a few steps up from what you'd normally wear to work at the job you're interviewing for.
Bring two to three hard copies of your resume with you to the interview, as well as a pen and a note pad. If any other materials were requested (portfolio, writing sample, contact information for references, etc.) be sure to bring those in hard copy as well.
Be on time! Or even 10 to 15 minutes early if possible.
Turn off your cell phone when you arrive. Don't just set it to vibrate or silent - sometimes an alarm or emergency weather alert will override your silent settings. Be safe and turn the phone off as soon as you've arrived at the employer's office.
See the Cawley Career Education Center’s site for more helpful tips on how to ace your first interview!
Extra credit articles:
→ Step 7: Your First Day and Beyond!
Getting the job is just the beginning - make sure to prepare ahead of time to get off to a great start. You'll need to complete some paperwork on or before your first day of work to be sure that your hire and payroll information is complete and correct. Please see our Information for New Hires page for more information.
On your first day at your new job, listen carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions - especially while training. If you have any questions that need to be answered before your first day (ex. schedule, office dress code, etc.) feel free to email or call your new supervisor or your department contact a few days before you're scheduled to start.
Remember to always act and dress professionally in the workplace. Be sure to use proper business etiquette and always follow-up on pending tasks and emails. Though you may not know every task invovlved in your new job from day one, being professional and conscientious (and taking notes) will always get you far.
Extra credit articles:
