Job/Internship Search Strategies

Structuring Your Search

The best way to look for a job or internship is to structure your search so that you can stay on track and avoid distractions. Think of your search as a cyclical process – you’ll constantly be revising and improving your materials (resumes and cover letters) as well as your list of target organizations. Follow the action plans for each year of your degree and keep an eye on the “big picture”:

• Identify career path(s) – no more than two or three – so that you can steer your search towards them.

• Understand how organizations recruit so that you can take the appropriate steps to success.

• Do research on your own and then consult with experts to:

• Narrow down the target positions (or “job titles”) that match your career paths (again, don’t go above two or three target positions).

• Identify the organizations, industries and locations related to your target positions.

• Learn how to market yourself (your skills and experience) to recruiters in your target organizations and industries.

• Use the job search strategies below to identify opportunities and then apply for them.

To keep things manageable, plan to have no more than:

• One to three target positions.

• Five to ten target employers (these will likely change over time).

• One to three target industries.

• One to three target locations.