Looking for jobs can seem daunting at first but through research, networking, and a firm grasp on reality you can find success! You might want to start by asking yourself the following questions:
Who am I and what do I bring to an organization?
What have I done to prepare for my job search?
You can find postings for part-time on and off campus jobs through Badger Handshake by logging in to your BadgerWeb account and clicking on the student tab and then selecting the Career Services Online link.
What is Networking?
Networking is a way to make contacts, build relationships, and ultimately help you develop your career. Keep in mind that networking goes both ways; be of assistance to everyone you know and not just the people you want things from. Giving help to others will create value with them and could eventually result in them referring business to you. If people know and trust you they are more likely to help you with your own goals.
Be flexible and generous in what you have to offer and always keep in mind what you want to accomplish, do your best to make networking a win/win situation.
Why should you Network?
Networking is a great tool to help you research possible major and career options because you get to talk to people in the fields you have interest in. Firsthand knowledge from people currently working in the field you are interested in can help you make good decisions now that will help accelerate your career growth later. Networking helps you find “hidden” jobs and gives you the chance to stand out from the competition.
Who should you Network with?
Where and How should you Network?
The Snow College Career Center helps provide you with several opportunities to network with potential employers, these include:
Take the opportunity to talk to your professors before or after class, ask your fellow students about their career goals, and use Badger Handshake to look up employer contacts that are in industries that interest you. Talk to members of your family and the people who they work with, gather as much knowledge as you can about the career options that are out there for you. Also, don’t forget to use LinkedIn as a networking tool to help you reach out to fellow Snow College Alumni.
When reaching out to someone new be sure to keep your message short, asking them a few questions about themselves is a good place to start. When networking, ask questions such as:
A Few Things to Remember About Networking:
Always follow up on your applications and continue to keep in touch with the contacts in your network. Following up shows you are committed and interested. Be sure to keep your follow ups simple and concise, don’t pester but be sure to show that you care. Remember to send thank you letters after an interview and be sure to let your contacts know that you appreciate their help in your job search process.