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Office of Career Development and Internships Job Search Tips
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To be successful in your job search, you have to be persistent and use a creative campaign. First and foremost, you need to understand what your strengths, interests and attributes are. That's very important because, it helps you to organize your resume around your strong points, which is what prospective employers like to see when they read your resume. Furthermore, this also becomes very helpful in your interview presentations.
Next you need to learn to utilize different resources and contacts effectively. Finally, you need to be good at presenting your strengths in a face-to-face meeting. To help you in this important presentation process, prepare a “two minute pitch” to present your experience, strengths, and career goal which you can use any time, especially on the phone.
The following is intended to provide you with some resources and directions in this regard:
- Do a good self assessment; get a realistic sense of what you want.
- Choose an area or a field that interests you and that is compatible with your educational background and experience.
- Research that area/organization, etc.
- Make sure your resume and cover letter are well written without any errors.
- Make contacts by using some of the resources and methods indicated here or through any other resources you may have developed.
- Polish and perfect your interviewing and presentation skills.
Resume
Your resume is your promotional tool. Therefore, make sure that it stands out, and that it shows skills and accomplishments which are very relevant and transferable to the situation of a prospective employer. Remember to highlight and put emphases on the following:
- Skills, knowledge, talents.
- Leadership and teamwork background on or off-campus.
- Problem-solving experience and communication skills.
- Computer, writing, language, statistical and quantitative skills, etc.
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Quick Tips: Use white or off-white, 8 1/2x11 paper. Use action verbs. Focus on skills, abilities and achievements. Proof read for typo and grammatical errors. Your resume should be error free. Use a style which amplifies your strengths. Make it neatly balanced. Be positive and avoid negatives. Generally, these sections should be included: Identification; Career Objective; Education, Work Experience; Extracurricular Activities; Research Project; Personal Strength; References.
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Cover Letter
The cover letter accompanies your resume. It is generally the first piece of written work the prospective employer will see, therefore, make sure that it shows good writing skills. The cover letter should complement the experience you have listed in your resume and very briefly highlight the relevant ones. It must be addressed to a specific person. If there is absolutely no way for you to identify the name of a specific person, you can address it as: Dear Sir / Madam.
After you research a company or an agency you are interested in, a cover letter can also be used effectively to explore job opportunities. Whatever the purpose is, make absolutely sure that your cover letter is well written. Again, the letter should briefly highlight your skills, accomplishments and strengths without repeating what you have outlined in your resume. State what you are looking for and, if possible, what contributions you could make. Briefly highlight a strength or a skills area that looks especially pertinent to the job or the organization you are applying to.
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Quick Tips: Limit cover letter to one page; tailor the letter to each job you apply for; cover letter should create an interest to know more about you; address it to a specific person. Consider your cover letter like a piece written work on which you’ll be evaluated. A sloppy and poorly written cover letter could discourage people from reading your resume. Never let that happen.
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Where and How to Look for a Job.
The Office of Career Development and Internships has job/vacancy listings online in eRecruiting, and hard copy listings at the Office which are updated regularly. Some of this information can also be used for networking purposes and to inquire about anticipated openings.
If you have an account in eRecruiting, our online system, you can use this resource to post your resume and conduct your job search. If you don’t have an account, please contact the Office to get one.
Directories such as: Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Directory, Dun and Bradstreet, Dun’s Regional Business Directory, Cares Directory - Directory of Health and Social Services in the New York area, and others are available at the Office. They can be very useful in your career decision making and job search. These resources and many others can also be found at the following libraries:
- Mid-Manhattan Library, (212) 340-0835
- Queens Borough Public Library in Jamaica, (718) 990-0746
- Brooklyn Public Library, (718)780-7722
- Bronx Public Library , (212)579-4244
Please call the libraries for location and hours.
Online Resources
To explore and learn more about occupations and skills, check http://online.onetcenter.org. This is a good place to start.
There are a wide range of web resources online. Our web site:www.qc.edu/career offers a lot of information on careers and jobs. There are resources which provide information about what you might be able to do with your major. On our web site, go to: “Students” “Services” “My Major”, then look for the particular major you are interested in and check the Information and the Links sections, to explore career opportunities.
The following is an example of links to use:
In addition to the above, please check our web site for more links. You can search under: “Students” “Internships and Jobs” “Job Search Links” for more information on a wide range of career opportunities.
“The Hidden Job Market”
- The hidden job market refers to jobs that are seldom publicized. It is often a rich source of job opportunities. To make the best it, use friends, acquaintances, family, current or former instructors, supervisors, etc,. It is very important to get the word out and to explore potential leads and contacts step-by-step. Contact hiring authorities and where possible, attend society meetings or social functions. Use all the opportunities you can, and always network. Let people know you’re looking for a job. Give them a copy of your resume. Follow through on all leads, and broaden your contacts as you go. Networking is the most widely used and perhaps the most effective method of finding employment.
Job Search Materials
Books, magazines and other resources are available at the Office of Career Development & Internships, Queens College.
Other Outside Resources
- (Available at Queens College Rosenthal Library)
- Standard and Poor’s Reports
- Dun’s Career Directory
Available at Mid-Manhattan Library and Queens Libraries:
- Standard Industrial Classification Manual
- Dun & Bradstreet Million $$ Directory
- Dun & Bradstreet Directory of Service Companies
- Standard & Poors Register
- New York State Industrial Directory
- Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies/Advertisers
- O’Dwyer Directory of Public Relations Firms (ask at desk)
- Directory of Executive Recruiters (ask at desk)
- Books on Business Research
- Moody’s International
- Standard & Poor’s Industry Surveys
- Standard Directory of Advertisers – “The Advertiser Redbook”
Resources for International Careers:
- Directory of American Firms Operating in Foreign Countries
- Directory of Foreign Firms Operating In the United States
- Guide to Careers in International Affairs
- International Careers
- The Almanac of International Jobs and Careers
- The Complete Guide to International Jobs
The Job Interview
Remember, resumes alone don’t get you a job; they get you an interview. The interview is, therefore, another critical stage in the job-search process you need to be very well prepared for. You should be sufficiently prepared to convince the prospective employer that you’re the right person for the job. You need to assertively show that you have the necessary confidence, knowledge and skills. This requires serious practice and preparation. Our Office has a lot of resources to help you present yourself effectively.
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Quick Tips: Arrive on time; neat appearance and appropriate grooming; firm handshake; show enthusiasm & interest. Relate educational & work experience to the position; demonstrate good knowledge of the organization & the position, cite examples to show your strength. Project honesty and sincerity. Show that you are a problem solver and a team player. Always ask questions and show passion for the position and the organization. Have a strategy for the interview. Prepare to articulately answer a question like: Why should we hire you instead of some other applicant.
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Keep the Following in Mind in Your Job Search
- Sometimes it helps to be flexible and accept an entry-level position for which you might be overqualified just to gain entry into the organization.
- Consider working for the summer to develop appropriate experience and develop good network.
- Show less concern for money and show drive and motivation.
- Also be flexible in negotiating entry-level positions, which may seem unattractive at first, but could have good potential for growth in the immediate future.
- Finally, remember that as you go through your search, you might be getting rejection letters. This is common and comes with the territory. Don’t let that discourage you. On the contrary, make sure that you take the time to learn from each experience so that you can make improvements in subsequent interviews. Try to assess what might have gone wrong. Conversely, of course try to draw lessons from the positive experience as well.
If you need assistance, we are here to help. Do come and talk to us, as most of you have done, already. We’re here fall, winter, spring & summer. Information on resume writing, cover letters, and information on interviewing is available at the Office and on our web site.
P.S Targeted Job Search Workshops are conducted to acquaint students with specific techniques and resources. These sessions will help you to refine your job search and presentations skills. They help you to get specific answers to your particular situation. In an interactive setting, you’ll also get a chance to meet with your peers and discuss strategies and resources. With the guidance of a professional, additional ideas, resources and suggestions will also be provided to help you with you job search. We strongly urge you to sign-up and participate in these focused workshops; they are very useful.
Good luck.
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