Top 10 Career Search Strategies for Students

1. Be Prepared – Get to know the firm that is under your review. Visit the website & talk with people who are familiar with the firm and/or the industry. Visit the library and utilize the Internet to help you gain an impressive amount of knowledge on your target employer.

2. Dress for Success – Perception is IMPORTANT
Under no circumstances should you dress casual. Client perception is critical at the onset of your first meeting with a client; never underestimate the power of professional attire. When you arrive your professional attire is telling the interviewer that you are serious about the job and that you respect their firm.

3. Think Beyond the Obvious – Do not limit yourself to opportunities that are representative of your MAJOR. Look at firms that are outside of the direct IT marketplace, IT is found in almost every organization – you can always find a link. Use multiple resources: Internet, network, faculty…

4. See the future – picture it! Have a dream; picture yourself in the seat within the department that you most aspire to join. Visualize yourself in the role of your dreams, and plan the steps to take you there. Performers have a PLAN.

5. Consider Internships & part-time or contract opportunities. Internships and part-time opportunities are experience. Companies often hire contract and internship candidates into permanent roles – these opportunities allow you to test the marketplace and evaluate a potential employer.

6. Timing – When to start the search? Do not delay. Start early (within 3 months of course completion), firms are thinking about internships and summer programs in March-April of each year. The sooner you start the more opportunities are available to you.

7. Select a Mentor - Find someone in your life that you admire and respect, share your goals with them and gain feedback during the job search.

8. Get organized - Employers will not consider you a viable candidate if you do not appear organized. Get it together before you pursue a firm, there is nothing as detrimental to next-steps in the interviewing process as a disorganized candidate. High maintenance candidates cost $$$.

9. Interview Techniques - Get to know interview techniques for winning the job.

10. Differentiators – Learn techniques that make you unique. The market is booming (unemployment rate at 6.4% - the lowest in 30 years). Develop methods that will differentiate you from other candidates also in career-search mode. Some examples include follow-up in the form of a thank-you note, association memberships, extracurricular activities…

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