Job $earch $trategie$
www.msubillings.edu/careers
JOB HUNTING QUANDARY
I am rather like a
mosquito in a
nudist camp.
I know what I ought to
do, but I don’t know
where to begin.
Stephen Bayne
Perform a Self-Assessment

What do you want to do?

What are your skills, abilities, experiences?
Consider paid, unpaid, volunteer, and
academic history.

What can you offer an employer?
Define Your Employment Options

Who has the jobs I seek?

Do I want full-time/part-time?

Can I relocate or commute?

Can I free-lance at home?

Can I work as a temp?

Can I live on this salary?
“Right” your Résumé

Create a top-notch résumé on quality stationery.

Include a “killer” cover letter, tailored to each
vacancy.

Ask a professional to critique your work; all
documents must be error-free.

Mail all documents in a matching envelope.
Use Career Services

On-campus interviews
& info sessions

CareerLink jobs
database

Job Fairs

Internships

Resources on cover
letters, résumés, and
interviewing

Career Counseling &
Advising
Target Your Network
Be strategic: Create your personal
“yellow pages” network



A way to compile
information
systematically
A means of gaining
exposure in the job
market
An opportunity to
expand contacts

NOT random

NOT unstructured

NOT unplanned

NOT brief
Network…Everyone does it!

Join professional
organizations

Enhance contacts

Ask for referrals—Use
faculty & family
connections

Tell everyone you know
that you are seeking a job
**Networking Works!
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Mass
Mailings
Referrals

Mass mailings produce
1-3% results

Networking produces
70% results

Referrals produce
85% results
**Using a combination of
all strategies is most
effective.
Use All Resources
Personal Contacts
Cold Calling
Chamber of Commerce
Part-time Work
State Workforce Agencies
Targeted Mailings
Internet & Print Vacancies
Temporary Agencies
Internships
Volunteer Work
Professional Organizations
Unions
Check these Websites

Career Services at MSU Billings
www.msubillings.edu/careers

Newspapers in every state
www.usnpl.com

CareerOneStop
www.careeronestop.org/jobsearch/jobsearch.aspx

MT Job Service
http://jobs.mt.gov/jobs/login.seek
Respect Employers’ Expectations
Demonstrate these employment skills:






Be on time ALL THE TIME
Complete work in a responsible manner
Dress appropriately at the workplace
Avoid personal use of phone & email
Follow company practices & policies
Be professional ALL THE TIME
You’re on Your Way!



Be patient
Be persistent
Be professional
Good
Luck!
Career Services
University Campus:
Lib 100
City College:
Jacket Student Central
657.2168
247.3006
www.msubillings.edu/careers