The Job Search
209 Wigley Administration Center  Mankato, MN 56001  507-389-6061  www.mnsu.edu/cdc
Job Search Process Facts
● On average, it can take 6 – 9 months of active job searching for a
senior or recent graduate to receive a job offer after graduation.
● Students who frequently used their career center were more
likely to receive a job offer sooner than those who did not.
Use of Career Services Linked to Job Offers
Spotlight Online for Career Services Professionals, June 23, 2010
The National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) 2010 Student Survey shows a strong link between use of
career services and a student’s ability to get a job offer. Results show that, the more frequently a senior used career
services, the more likely he/she would receive a job offer. Just under 29 percent of those who received job offers
had not used the career center—meaning the remaining 71 percent with offers were career center users.
In addition, the study found that the likelihood of getting a job offer increased with the frequency of use, so that
those who used the career center four or more times a semester were more likely to have job offers than those who used it
once a semester.
 Tips for graduates on the job hunt
Job Statistics of Recent MSU Graduates
Before Graduation
• Approximately 20% of grads had jobs before
graduation
6-9 Months after
Graduation
• Approximately 65% of grads had jobs
7-12 Months after
Graduation
• Approximately an additional 15% of grads had jobs
Job Search Process
Who are you?
Create a Plan &
Job Searching
Exploring the
World of Work
(WOW)
Who Are You?
 Learn about yourself by discovering your
interests, skills, and values and how they
relate to the world of work.
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Take an interest inventory (FOCUS
Assessment, Strong Interest/MBTI)
Get involved with campus activities or organizations
Identify possible major and career fields
Enroll in classes that fulfill general education courses but also
potential majors
Explore the World of Work
 Gather information about occupations and
relating information from self-assessment to
possible career and major options.
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Research majors and careers in the Career Resource Library
Consider the possibility of study abroad
Talk to faculty or advisors in your major to learn about
potential career opportunities
Use What Can I Do with a Major In? to identify possible
careers within your major
Create a Plan and Job Searching
 Narrow and prioritize career options. Identify
education/training/employment options
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Take a leadership role in a campus organization
Research graduate and professional schools and their
requirements
Prepare and take tests required for admissions
Draft a resume and cover letter. Use the Job Search Handbook
Enter World of Work
Carry through on your plan of action. Enter the world
of work or graduate/professional school
• Register for and attend career or job fairs/ workshops
• Upload your resume into mavjobs.com and make it
available for employers to review
• Complete graduate and professional school application
process
• Consider attending an on campus recruiting info or interview
session.
Keys to Finding a Job
 Gain relevant experience before you start job
searching
 Examples: Internships, part-time related work
experience, volunteering, campus and community
involvement
 Be able to effectively communicate these experiences
to employers
 Create a resume and have it reviewed at Quick Stop
prior to distributing it
Resources to Find Jobs
 Networking
 Mavjobs.com
 GoinGlobal
 Professional Organizations
 Online resources:
● www.careerbuilder.com
● www.nationjob.com
● www.indeed.com
● https://www.minnesotaworks.net/ (MN Jobs)
Explore job postings
from all around the
world!
Expert advice for domestic and
international students looking to
work in the United States and abroad
600,000 worldwide job and
internship postings that are updated
daily
Searchable H1B visa database for
international students
Log in to your mavjobs.com account and click on
Networking
 Networking is:
 Cultivating and maintaining professional relationships to provide
and offer information and support
 What is the importance of networking?
 2 primary purposes of networking:
 To learn more about careers
 To establish a relationship that may result in a job lead
 60%-80% of job seekers obtain their job offer through
networking
 Network through:
●
Face to face, online networking (Facebook & Linked in), conferences,
informational interviews, career and job fairs, and professional
organizations
Mavjobs.com
 Every MSU student has an active Mavjobs account
 Mavjobs can be utilized to:
● Post your resume
● Search for jobs/internships
● Research employers
● Contact employers
● Network
● Utilize multiple resources for the job search process available
Check it out at: www.mnsu.edu/cdc
MAVJOBS
Minnesota State University, Mankato’s
exclusive job searching website!
Search and apply for:
On-campus & off-campus part-time jobs
Entry-level & experienced employment
Internships
RSVP for:
Employer Information Sessions
Career Fairs
Workshops
www.mavjobs.com
Professional Organizations
Many professional organizations have job listings in
their field posted on their websites
 Reach out to professional organizations to:
 Develop your professional network
 Gain knowledge through participation and
attendance at conferences
 Keep up to date on current issues and trends in the
field
Additional Online Resources
 CDC website links
 Job Search Assistance
 Job Search Links
 Going Global
 Exploring Careers
 Career Exploration
 CareerSpots videos
 Finding a Co-op/Internship
 Perils of Social Networking
 How DO you get THAT Job?
 Informational Interview
Career Resource Library
 Open Monday – Friday
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8:00 Am- 4:30 PM
 Possible book titles: 10 Insider Secrets to a Winning Job
Search, A Foot in the Door: Networking Your way into
the Hidden Job Market, and 101 Tips for Graduates
 Books available for checkout with your Mavcard
 View the complete list of books at:
http://www.mnsu.edu/cdc/resources/exploring/library/index.html
Additional CDC Resources
 QuickStop walk-in hours
 Career Fairs and Events
 Who’s Recruiting on Campus?
 Where are They Now?
 Job Search Handbook
Career Development Center
TO LEARN MORE VISIT US AT:
WWW.MNSU.EDU/CDC
OR
HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CDC.MNSU
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM- 4:30PM
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
209 WIGLEY ADMINISTRATION
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
MANKATO, MN 56001
PHONE: 507-389-6061,
1-800-627-3529 OR 711 (MRS/TTY)
EMAIL: CDC@MNSU.EDU