Know Your Product

In career development terms, we call this step, self-assessment. You must be knowledgeable about your skills, values and interests before you can convince employers that you fit their profile of the ideal candidate. Remember that employers are comparison shoppers.

The following is a list of basic questions you should be able to answer about your "product" (yourself):

• What skills do you have to offer, and what experiences can you present to demonstrate
  or prove that you have such skills?
• What do you value in work (e.g., variety, good income, flexible hours, etc.)?
• What makes you stand apart from the other applicants?
• What tasks interest you, and why?
• Can you name some of your major accomplishments?

Identify Potential Buyers

Once you have a clear picture of what you have to offer, you need to create a list of prospective employers or contacts. Assess the type of employer and position that would suit you, then conduct research to identify those that fit your criteria. You may find that you need to narrow or expand your scope depending on the number of employers that fit within your target group.

There are two approaches to the job search: passive and active. In an active approach, you seek to identify openings before they are advertised. In the passive approach, you wait for an employer to express a need or post an opening. While the active approach is the most successful, you should use a combination of both.

The Active Approach

Networking

• Contact all the people you know and let them know that you are looking for a job. Specify the type of position you are seeking and fill them in on your background and qualifications. A list of possible networking contacts can begin with family, friends, former co-workers or supervisors, professors, members of groups or clubs that you belong to or classmates.
• Rensselaer alumni make valuable contacts. You share a common background. See the Rensselaer Alumni Directory in the CDC Cafe for help in identifying alumni contacts or register on RenSource, an alumni networking opportunity.
• Professional associations can put you in touch with other people in your field. If you need help identifying a good professional association in your field, ask your contacts who are in that field or consult the National Trade and Professional Associations directory in the CDC Cafe.
• Informational interviewing is another valuable tool in the networking process. See the Informational Interviewing Tip Sheet for more information.

Direct Contact with Employers

• Making direct contact with an employer before an actual opening is announced will provide you access to "the hidden job market." This is the term used to describe the almost 85 percent of positions that are filled without ever being advertised.
• Through research, you can develop a list of employers to target. A "mass mail" campaign is not recommended. Rather, choose a select group of employers whose needs match yours and concentrate your efforts on them.
• A follow-up phone call is an important step in this process. Call about one week after you have sent a cover letter and resume to be sure it was received and to ask more questions about positions available.
• You may contact an employer by sending a resume and cover letter, by phoning or by contacting a company through its web page. Remember that no matter how you send your resume, it should always be accompanied by a cover letter.
• Attend Information Sessions - usually held the evening prior to a company's recruiting date. Info sessions provide an opportunity to meet employers in an informal setting and a chance to learn more about the company and positions that may be available. Be sure to bring copies of your resume with you and to ask for an interview.

The Passive Approach

On-Campus Interviews

Over 400 employers come to campus each year to interview students. To learn more about participating in on-campus interviews, register with the CDC and attend a Graduating Students' Workshop. Check the CDC Calendar for workshop dates and times.

Advertisements/RedHawk JobLink

Try looking beyond the usual sources. In addition to newspapers, many professional association journals and newsletters contain listings of open positions. There are also many job listing services on the web as well as specific employer pages which list current job opportunities. The Career Development Center lists open positions through the RedHawk JobLink system.

Employment Agencies

Employment agency representatives work on a commission basis. This contractual arrangement is set up in one of two ways: either the employer pays the fee or the job candidate pays the fee. Be aware that if you, the job seeker, are paying the fee, you are probably paying for some services that you could get for free through the CDC. You are strongly encouraged to work only with agencies where the employer pays the fee. You will also be more successful if you contact an agency that specializes in your field.

Career Fairs

The CDC sponsors annual career fairs including the local career fair and the Architecture Career Fair. NSBE/SHPE sponsors a Career Fair every fall, usually in October. The School of Management also sponsors a Career Fair each year. Look for announcements in The Poly. Do some research ahead of time on the organizations expected to attend so that you can concentrate your efforts on a targeted few.

The Sales Pitch

Each and every time you send a letter, submit a resume, make a phone call, talk to a contact or participate in an interview, you are selling your "product." Think about your overall sales pitch. Is your "product" packaged well? Be sure when you send correspondence that it is neat, error-free and professional. When speaking on the phone, be polite and professional. Avoid saying "yeah." For interviews, make a good first impression by dressing neatly in a professional, conservative style and color.

Do you present the best aspects of your "product?" Here is where knowing yourself and the potential employer will pay off. You can emphasize in your cover letter, phone call or interview the aspects of your background that most clearly match the needs of the specific organization or position you are exploring. Each situation is unique and requires a unique approach. Do not use generic cover letters or provide generic answers to questions. The individualized approach is best.

Are your claims believable? When consumers buy products, they want proof of quality. They will not just take your word for it. The same idea applies to employers. You must prove through specific, concrete examples that you have the qualifications they seek. Whenever possible, quantify your examples using numbers and percentages.

Closing the Sale

Following through on all leads is essential to an effective job search campaign. Since there are many details to keep track of, establish a system for tracking job leads and contacts. Some people use index cards or files; you must choose a system that works for you. Failure to do this could mean missed job opportunities.

Send a thank you note within two days of the interview. Be persistent but not annoying in calling to check on job leads. If the person is not there, be sure to leave a clear, understandable message including your phone number. One busy recruiter mentioned that she never returns the first phone call from a job candidate but instead waits for a second call.

See everything as an opportunity. If you are rejected for a position, ask for feedback so that you can improve your approach. Also, ask for additional contacts from anyone you meet.

An Added Note

Rejection is inherent in the job search. The effects of this can be minimized by having a realistic view of the job search. The average job search for a professional position takes from six months to a year. Start looking early and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't find a position right away.

Emotional support can be provided by family and friends. However, if you find this is not adequate, consider seeing a counselor in the Career Development Center — that's why we're here.