Job Search Checklist Looking for a job can sometimes feel overwhelming, so it’s helpful to break it down into manageable steps. You don’t have to do every step in order; for example, you can start working on your resume before you decide what you want to do. Check off as many of these steps as you can, and you will be well on your way to a job opportunity. Step 1: Assessment – Know yourself Identified my personal values, interests and skills Made a list of potential job titles and/or fields of interest Decided on two or three careers/jobs I plan to pursue Step 2: Exploration - Know where you want to work Identified the top three geographic areas where I would like to live and work Researched potential career fields: typical entry level jobs, typical salaries, best geographic location for jobs Researched organizations or companies that hire someone with my skills, interests and experience Targeted ten (10) employers for the type of work I am seeking Conducted informational interviews for additional information and career advice Step 3: Preparation - Get ready for the job search Developed my resume and cover letter and had them reviewed by a CEC career coach or a professional in my field Wrote and practiced my “30 second speech” for short encounters when networking and with employers Developed my two-minute verbal marketing presentation to tell my story while networking and interviewing Created my networking contact list Requested and prepared three individuals to be my references Incorporated networking into my job search strategy Responded to job postings and considered temporary work with employment agencies Used a neutral/professional email address to give employers Created a professional sounding voice-mail message for when an employer calls Own an interview suit/outfit that is appropriate for the field in which I plan to work 2 Step 4: Implementation - Implement your job search strategy Prepared for interviews by practicing my responses to typical questions and/or doing a mock interview Networked with friends, parents, faculty, alumnae/i and others to uncover the “hidden job market” Attended career events, such as career fairs, company presentations, professional association meetings, and forums Broadened the scope of my job search to include alternative Plans A, B and C as part of my job search strategy Used the Library Career Guides to locate additional job boards in my targeted field Next steps: Action Plan 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Adapted for Simmons CEC Career Development Model from www.udel.edu/CSC/pdfs/jobsearchchecklist