Identify the Job

• Access online resources available on the Career Services website: SIGI 3, OOH, O*NET, as well as our Job Boards links page. Also, read career related materials available
  in Southeastern Louisiana University Sims Memorial Library. Click on How Do I Research Companies? for more company research resources.

• Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your career goals, and take
  a career assessment such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or COPS Interest
  Inventory to clarify your work interests and personality strengths as relate to careers
  you’re considering

Research the Field

After you formulate your career goals, it is essential that you learn as much as possible
about the position(s) you plan to target in your search to assist you in tailoring
your resume and cover letter to the position, and to prepare for the interview as
well. You should also research the company/organization and the field/industry to
which you’re applying. Utilize the Career Services web site resources described above.

Determine a Salary

Part of the job search process involves determining your salary requirements and earning
potential. Developing a personal budget for the standard of living you can reasonably
maintain, as well as researching salaries for the positions you’re considering, will
ensure realistic salary expectations. This knowledge will be useful for the interview
and job offer processes as well. Every position has a general salary range, based
on what professionals in that position are currently earning. However, many factors
affect salaries, such as: type of position/field/industry, state of the economy (national,
regional, and local), and geographic location.

It is also important to understand that employers count benefits as part of the compensation
package. These benefits may include medical insurance, 401(k) plans and stock options.
Other perks can include vacation time, company car or vehicle allowance, flexible
work schedules and tuition reimbursement.

 
Use the following resources to begin your salary research:

• Speak to individuals in the profession: Ask what salary someone in an entry-level
  position should expect.

• Career Service’ online resources such as SIGI 3, OOH, and O*NET contain salary information, including starting salaries, average salaries, and top
  earning possibilities for various careers. O*NET also allows you to compare Louisiana salaries to national averages.

• Monster.com Salary Center allows you to create a basic salary report based on position and geographic location.

• Salary.com – Calculates salary, bonuses and benefits based on job title and location.

• The Salary Calculator compares the cost of living for 100’s of US cities.

• ZipRecruiter – Provides Information on Salaries for Various Positions

Also, be realistic about your salary expectations. Do not expect to graduate and find
your first job making $50,000 per year in Hammond, Louisiana!

Decide on a Location

Consider your willingness to relocate. Remember, the more open you are to relocation,
the more likely you are to find the job you are seeking, and the more you can increase
your opportunities for career advancement. If you are open to relocation, take some
time to research jobs by geographic location. Some resources to assist you include:

• https://www.moving.com/ – Provides information on domestic and international relocation, storage, finding
  a mover, etc.

• FindYourSpot.com – Discover your ideal location through a short quiz. Includes a report on each recommended
  city and information on jobs and housing.

• EscapeArtist.com – Information on international jobs, living and real estate.

• Handshake – Southeastern’s one-stop career shop where you can search and apply for jobs and
  internships, build a resume, apply for On-Campus Interviews, and more!

Prepare the Application Materials

A well-written and visually appealing resume and cover letter are absolutely necessary
to land you that job interview. They are critical to the job search and must be error-free
and capable of marketing the knowledge and skills you have to offer to an employer.
Begin building your resume and cover letter. After you have developed your resume
to the best of your abilities, you may schedule an appointment with one of our career
counseling staff for a resume review and suggestions for improvement.

Polish Your Interview Skills

Getting a telephone call from an employer inviting you for a job interview is a great
feeling – BUT! Don’t let your excitement make you feel overly confident. Although
most of us know the importance of composing a resume and cover letter, many fail to
recognize the need for preparing for job interview. The resume may get you in the
door, but the interview will be the determining hiring factor. Access the Career Services Interviewing Assistance section of our web site to assist you in honing those interview skills. You may also
schedule an appointment with one of our career counseling staff to participate in
a mock interview.

Research the Employer

Before you apply for a job with a particular company or organization, you should learn
as much about that employer as you can. Researching the employer will give you the
information you need to decide if this is an employer for whom you would like to work.
It will also prepare you to discuss what you learn about the employer in the interview
– and rest assured that the employer expects that you have researched their organization!
Access How Do I Research Companies? for employer research resources, and the type of information you need to know!

Get Organized

A successful job search requires not only time and energy but also organization. It
is important to develop a system to keep organized and focused. The following tips
will assist you in establishing a system:

• Schedule a block of time each day to devote to your job search and identify what you
  want to accomplish that day. 

• Create a “To Do” list and check your progress at the end of each day.

• Keep accurate records of your employer contact information, method of contact, and
  follow-up activities – utilize Career Services’ Job Search Contacts & Follow Up Record
  to assist you with organizing this info.

• Make copies of all correspondence sent to employers and maintain a file for each employer
  to organize your search. Include in this file:

1.   Copy of resume sent (you may have more than one version of your resume!)

2.   Copy of cover letter sent (it should be tailored to the particular employer and position
targeted)

3.   Copy of job posting or advertisement and/or detailed job description if available

4.   Copy of Career Services’ Employer Quick Info Guide

5.   Copies of info you gathered in conducting research on position and employer

Follow Up

Many Human Resource Managers are busy and may not select and notify applicants immediately
regarding their desire to schedule an interview. For each resume that you send, follow
up! Call or email within two to three weeks of submitting your resume. Following up
will set you apart from other candidates and reaffirm your interest in the position.
When you follow up, demonstrate professionalism. State the position for which you’re
applying and the date your resume was sent, reiterate your interest in the position,
and request the status of your application. Give employers a few days to respond before
contacting them again. While persistence is essential, you do not want to turn employers
off by aggravating them.

Understand the Job Market

The job market can be broken down into two major segments: the advertised job market
and the hidden job market. The advertised market includes openings listed in newspapers,
Internet job boards, employer websites, trade publications or other publications.
While advertised job openings are the most obvious, it is estimated that approximately
80% of available jobs are not publicly advertised. These openings comprise the hidden
job market and are filled by candidates found through recommendations and referrals
– in other words, through networking.

Find Jobs in the Hidden Market

Identifying opportunities in the hidden job market requires time and persistence but
can offer the most success. The strategies listed below will help make your search
easier.
 

Networking

Networking is the key to tapping the hidden job market. Develop a list of people you
know, inform them that you are conducting a job search, and ask for tips, leads and
suggestions. Your networking contact list can include family members, neighbors, friends,
professors, advisors of your student organizations, alumni, and other people who may
be able to provide you with job leads or direct you to others they know who can assist
you. Also, attend college-sponsored events related to your field of interest, identify
a professional in your field of interest and conduct an Informational Interview (see
below), or join a professional organization and attend conferences to develop contacts.
When making contact by mail, email or telephone, describe the type of job you are
seeking and ask if the contact can provide you with information – or if they can refer
you to others who can. Follow through on leads and suggestions, and check back with
the contact occasionally. Always give them a copy of your resume, and express your
appreciation for their assistance.

Informational Interviewing

While the primary purpose of an Informational Interview is to gather information about a career and/or field, and job search advice, from
a professional with firsthand knowledge, it will also assist you in developing your
network of contacts. When on an Informational Interview you should not ask for a job.
Make it clear that you have no job expectations and are seeking information only,
from them or others they may know in the field. In addition to developing your network,
the professional may remember you when a position becomes available – either with
their company or another one. Send a thank-you note or letter after the Informational
Interview, typed on quality paper or neatly handwritten on a conservatively-designed
note card, and include your address and phone number.

Direct Employer Contact

The focus of direct employer contact is to mail or email cover letters and resumes
to hiring decision-makers. First, identify companies/organizations in your field of
interest and the names of department managers – information available on the organization’s
website, or if not, call for a contact name and address. Then, send your cover letter
and resume directly to this contact – in your cover letter, state in the first paragraph,
“I am contacting you regarding possible employment opportunities with (name of company
or organization).” See the Cover Letters and References section of the Career Services website for assistance in composing a cover letter.
An alternative to emailing or mailing is dropping off your resume in person. However,
arrive professionally dressed (or at the very least, in “business casual” dress),
and be prepared to speak with the hiring manager should they be available. This approach
can be particularly effective with small businesses. Follow up with each employer
to confirm receipt of your resume, find out the status of your application, and to
reiterate your interest in working for them. 

Find Jobs in the Advertised Market

Following are resources to identify opportunities in the advertised market. When you
find a job that matches your qualifications, carefully follow the application instructions
on the advertisement. This may include sending (via mail, email, or fax) a copy of your resume and cover
letter, letters of reference, a list of references, transcripts, applying in person,
etc. NOTE: It is always a good idea to send a cover letter when targeting a particular
company or organization – even if the job ad does not ask for a cover letter!