Navigating the Application Sea: How to Search for Internships & Jobs
A Guide on Searching for Jobs with a FREE Application Tracker Template!
Welcome Sailors! This newsletter we will begin raising the anchors and setting sail on your journey to secure internships and jobs. With numerous avenues and opportunities available, it's essential to navigate through these waters strategically. This guide aims to provide insights and practical tips to search effectively and discern from irrelevant information. From leveraging online platforms to networking with industry recruiters, this introduction sets the stage for a successful job search journey. Let's explore how to navigate the competitive landscape and find the right opportunities to kickstart your career.
Know What You’re Looking For 🤔
Before applying for jobs, there are many important questions to ask yourself. Here are some criteria to think of:
Job Type - Full Time, Part Time, Internships, Co-Op, etc.
Location - Are you willing to move? How far are you ready to commute?
Benefits - Do you need benefits such as insurance, PTO, retirement planning, etc.?
Salary - What are your salary expectations? (Be realistic; use Glassdoor or the H1B Salary Database to search for the market value of your desired job)
Company - What type of company do you want to work at (Big, Medium, Small, Startup)?
Prepare Your Documents 📝
Depending on the types of jobs you are looking for, you will always need a resume and potentially a cover letter and/or portfolio. Consider the requirements for the job you are looking for and create a folder on your computer or in Google Drive to consolidate your needed documents.
Suppose you do not have a portfolio and need some examples. Google the following: “[Job Type] portfolio examples”, to create one successfully. Your portfolio can include various materials, from class projects to internship assignments (if allowed), showcasing your skills and accomplishments relevant to the position. You may need to begin working on personal projects if your portfolio needs to be improved.
When to Begin Looking 🔍
It is important to note that most companies have specific hiring seasons opening early career roles. According to RippleMatch, the peak of open roles for STEM and non-STEM-related fields is in October.
This information is not to say it is impossible to find opportunities outside that time frame but to begin searching at that pivotal time. I have experienced companies telling me to look out for roles at different times, such as the beginning of summer or the end of winter. Overall, it depends on the company or field you want to work in. For STEM roles, it may help to begin searching at the beginning of the fall season into the winter.
Where to Find Jobs 💻
If you are looking for a local part-time for everyday expenses, leverage tools like Google Maps to identify nearby businesses. Whether it's retail outlets, tutoring centers, or restaurants, these sectors often have a high demand for essential workers. Be sure to search your on-campus jobs as well. On-campus jobs often offer flexible schedules that accommodate students' academic commitments.
If you are looking for professional development jobs, here are six places to begin your job search.
1. Your College’s Career Services
If you’re a student, you have numerous career resources at your disposal. Your school's career services department is an invaluable resource that students often overlook. Please take advantage of this department by locating it on your school's website and exploring the wealth of resources it offers. From resume-building workshops to mock interviews and job search assistance, career services can provide tailored guidance and support to help you navigate the job market successfully. Additionally, they may offer career fairs, networking events, and employer connections that can lead to valuable internship and job opportunities. Be sure to check your emails often for potential job postings as well (this is how I got a part-time tutoring job and a summer internship). Even after graduating, these services could still potentially be available to you. Don't hesitate to reach out and make the most of the expertise and assistance available through your school's career services department.
2. LinkedIn
Having a LinkedIn profile is essential; it's practically a professional necessity. Create a LinkedIn profile before submitting applications as it's a vital step for a professional presence. Despite the challenges of navigating LinkedIn's job postings, I provide three different methods to find jobs on the platform below effectively.
Use LinkedIn’s Set Alert Feature
Utilize LinkedIn’s job alerts by searching for your desired position, and sorting by date posted “Past 24 Hours”.
This method will notify you constantly when new positions are posted immediately. Use the other filter features if needed as well. Feel free to use the “Past week” tag when beginning your search. However, use the “Past 24 hours” tag to avoid repeating repetitive job postings for daily searching moving forward.
Search Keywords and Hashtags to Find Company/Influencer Posts
You can search keywords you want to find postings of. This search method will allow you to view job postings not directly on LinkedIn but on external company websites or job boards. LinkedIn also includes the ability to use hashtags. Most LinkedIn creators will use hashtags to increase post visibility. Use this to your advantage to find your desired resources. For example, search #genz, #earlycareer, or #[Your Industry Here] to find relevant posts. Again, you can sort by the filters offered at the top to find more specific posts.
Network: Follow and Connect With Recruiters, Mentors, and Industry Professionals
Connecting with mentors and recruiters will allow you to get job postings directly on your LinkedIn feed. Building your network will be a massive help in finding relevant jobs. New positions constantly appear on my feed, posted by recruiters and mentors, shared by their network but not posted on LinkedIn's job board.
Here are some general creators I recommend following and getting connected with. Fun fact: I learned about some of these links from some of these creators!
Jade Walters - Early Career Advice and Career Coach
Natalie Neptune - LinkedIn Top Voice
Daniel Botero - Helps Minority College Students, Recent Grads, and Early Career Find Jobs
Skyler Basco - Helps Students Land into Big Tech
Sarah Johnston - Interview Prep and Resume Writing
Jahleane Dolne - Mindset Coach and Motivational Speaker
Linda Le - Mental Health Advocate
Jeff Nguyen - Creator of BobaTalks, a Tech Mentor
To connect with recruiters, use search terms like “[Industry] recruiter” or “[Company] recruiter”. For opportunities geared towards college students, search “[Company] University Recruiter” for recruiters actively seeking young talent.
Lastly, engaging with professionals in your target role offers insights into their career paths and creates networking opportunities and meaningful conversations. By searching for “[desired role]” or “[company][desired role],” you can identify and connect with professionals who can provide guidance and inspiration for your career journey.
3. Job Boards
While LinkedIn is a valuable resource for job seekers, it's essential to recognize that it may only sometimes provide all the opportunities you seek. Fortunately, numerous other job board websites cater to various demographics and industries, expanding your options for finding employment. Below is a curated list of such job boards tailored to specific demographics and fields:
NoExperience.io by cuSTEM Journeys
Handshake - College Students & Alumni
Fairygodboss - Women Designated
WayUp - Internships and New Grads
Untapped.io - Diversity Job Board
Wellfound - Startup Jobs
StartUp.Jobs - Startup Jobs
RippleMatch - Gen Z Job Board
Jopwell - Black, Latinx, and Native American students and professionals
Remote Job Websites Here (Hamna Aslam Kahn LinkedIn Post)
JobPulse - Tech Job Board
4. Company Websites
If you have a particular company in mind that you aspire to work for, I recommend exploring their careers page directly on their official website. However, this approach typically requires thorough research to identify suitable companies aligning with your career interests and skill set. A helpful strategy to begin your research is by conducting a Google search using relevant keywords such as "[Major/Skill] companies". This search can yield a list of companies known for their expertise in your field of interest. Take the time to review each company's website, paying close attention to their mission, values, and the types of roles they offer.
5. Referrals
Referrals can significantly enhance your job search by leveraging the power of personal connections. When someone refers you for a job, they vouch for your qualifications and character, lending credibility to your application. Actively seeking referrals from professional contacts can be an effective strategy for securing job opportunities. Search “[Company Name][Your Desired Job]” to find and connect with potential contacts. Otherwise, there are some websites dedicated delivering referrals to candidates; here are some below:
Refer Me - Referrals + Curated Job Board
Refermarket - Get Matched and Connected with Employees
Exponent - Referrals to Top Tech Companies
6. When in Doubt, Google
Although Googling is one of the last methods I recommend, it is still an option. Search key phrases using these formats:
[Your Major] [Job Type] near [Location]
Ex. Information Technology Entry Jobs near NYC
[Skill/Topic] [Job Type] near [Location]
Ex. UX internship near Denver
Most of the jobs you will find using this method may be outdated, so I recommend using the filter features.
If you try this method, remember DO NOT apply on unusual third-party recruiting websites (like ZipRecruiter and Indeed); search for the company and find the role on their direct website, or email the point of contact, if listed in the posting.
Keep Track of Applications📊
Although this is optional, I highly recommend tracking your applications. It can be a little disheartening when it starts to fill up, but keeping track enables you to identify opportune moments for following up with the recruiter. My application tracker is pictured below:
I updated the template for you guys! Here is the free template to keep track of your jobs: The Career Lighthouse Job Tracker
Remember…
Even if you don't meet all the qualifications for a job, it's still worth applying. In my experience, I landed my current position by applying for one role, but ended up being considered for another that was a better fit by the hiring manager. Don't diminish your chances before giving yourself the opportunity to succeed.
Stay proactive, adaptable, and patient throughout the job search process, and don't hesitate to seek support from career advisors, mentors, and peers. At the end of the day, job searching requires both diligence and little bit of luck. With determination and effort, you can navigate the competitive job market and embark on a rewarding career path suited to your skills and aspirations.
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If I missed something or you have any additional feedback, feel free to leave a comment! I would love to hear your thoughts!
Website References: Jade Walters, Maxwell Myers, Skyler Basco, and personal research.
Loved the information! Thanks for your help :D