Page 346 - Keys To Community College Success

Use Available Resources

Use your school’s career planning and placement office,
your networking skills, classified ads, and online ser-
vices to help you explore possibilities for career areas or
specific jobs.

Your school’s career planning
and placement office
Generally, the career planning and placement office deals
with post-graduation job opportunities, whereas the stu-
dent employment office and financial aid office provide
information about working during school. At either
location you might find job listings, interview sign-up
sheets, and company contact information. The career
office may hold informational workshops on different
topics. Your school may also sponsor job or career fairs
When you attend a career fair or job interview, wear professional
clothing and pay attention to your appearance -- it makes a where you can meet potential employers and explore job
positive impression. opportunities. Get acquainted with the career office
early in your college career.

Networking
The most basic type of networking—talking to people about fields and jobs that inter-
est you—is one of the most important job-hunting strategies. Networking contacts can
answer questions regarding job hunting, job responsibilities and challenges, and salary
expectations. Risk reaching out to friends and family members, instructors, administra-
tors, counselors, alumni, employers, coworkers, and others for the reward of the help
they can offer you.
Online social networking is another useful tool to help you in your job search. Tools
NETWORKING
The exchange of information like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter allow members to connect with other individuals
through groups, fan pages, and similar interests. During a job search, these sites can be
or services among
individuals, groups, or used to meet people who work at companies you are interested in and showcase portfolio
institutions.
pieces. Businesses often search through LinkedIn profiles when they have job openings, so
you never know who may contact you. However, online networking is no substitute for
personal interaction; eventually you will have to talk to someone by phone or in person.
A word of caution: Your online presence is public. If you wouldn’t want a potential
employer (or your parents, instructor, or religious leader) to see something, don’t post
it. In fact, many employers review Facebook pages of applicants before inviting them
for interviews.

Informational interviews and the hidden job market
When you find someone who is doing the job you want to do, teaching in your field of
interest, or responsible for hiring in that field, try to set up an informational interview
with this person—an opportunity for you to ask questions about what she does, how
she got into the job, what she likes or doesn’t like, and whom she knows. Since you are
asking the questions and there is less at stake than in a traditional interview, you are
likely to feel less nervous. Despite the lower risk, there is still potential for reward in
the form of information and networking contacts.
To set up an interview, call or email the person. Introduce yourself and make it
clear you are not looking for a job, just advice and support. Ask for 30 minutes of the
person’s time. Find out when he or she is are available and then suggest a meeting by
12 phone, in the office, or at a coffee shop—whatever is most convenient. Prepare a set of
CHAPTER 308 informational interview questions.
questions ahead of time about things that matter to you. See Key 12.5 for a good list of