What is the Job Search Process?

What is the Job Search Process?

Your job search process begins the moment you start thinking about life after UW-Eau Claire and continues until you have accepted a job offer. Over your lifespan you are likely to find yourself going through the process several times. In fact, on the average, you can expect to have between three and five career changes during your lifetime, and up to six job changes within a career.

Each time you change jobs, for whatever reason, you need to start at the beginning of the process and work through it again. The specifics of your job search will change each time but the process remains the same. Since these changes will happen despite careful planning, learning what the job search process entails now will arm you with a valuable lifelong skill.

How Much Time Will the Job Search Take?
In general, job finding success is directly proportional to the amount of time you are willing to spend in your search and the number of strategies you use to identify potential openings. Sources suggest that you:

* Be prepared for a long job hunt - 8-23 weeks
* Spend at least 20 hours per week on your job hunt
* Have an alternative plan.

Your perseverance will eventually pay off. Make sure you have a support system of family or friends to help you when you are feeling discouraged.

What Do I Need to Know Before I Start?

There is no magic way to find a job. It is hard work, takes time and at times may be boring and frustrating. It will take all your skills in planning and follow through but when done faithfully also pays the ultimate reward: A satisfying job for you! Some rejection will be a normal part of job-hunting and a new experience for you. Rather than letting rejections discourage you, let each one teach you a new way to improve your skills for your next opportunity.

Remember, your job search is your responsibility. You are the one who has to get out there and make things happen - no one can do it for you. The Career Services staff is available to assist you with each of the job search steps. The Career Resource Lab also has a variety of information on each of the steps in the job search process and job search workshops are offered each semester.

What Are the Steps of the Job Search Process?

A list of job search steps follows. The order may vary depending on your specific needs and goals.

* Self Assessment -- The first step in your job search involves self assessment. Before you start looking for a specific job you need answers to such questions as: What are my work-related skills, interests and values? What have I learned from my academic, paid and volunteer experiences? What kind of position am I seeking? Where do I want to live? What are my career goals? What kind of lifestyle do I envision for myself?
* Employment Objective -- Having a clear idea of who you are, what you can do, what you want to do, and in what environment you want to do it, will enable you to better develop a concrete career objective - one that accurately reflects what you are seeking.
* Resume and Cover Letter -- These are the two most basic marketing tools for your job search. Developing an effective resume and good targeted cover letter is essential. The Career Services staff can assist you with their development.
* Job Search Strategy -- The successful job search requires a definite plan of action. How will you develop a list of potential employers? How will you contact them? How can you build your network to include them? What are your communication strengths and how can you best use them? Conducting a job search without a plan will cost you in both time and money.
* Interview -- Getting the interview is the goal of your tools - the resume and cover letter, and the outcome of a successful plan of action. It is easy, however, to be so intent on getting interviews that you neglect to prepare for them. Have you researched the organization? Are you prepared to communicate what you can contribute? Have you studied the kinds of questions often asked?
* Job Offer -- "You've got the job!" are the four words job hunters most want to hear. But what then? Are you prepared to evaluate the offer to see if it matches your interests and more importantly your prioritized work values? Could you turn down a job offer you felt was wrong for you? How will you make your decision? Have you determined what your basic monthly expenses are so you can see if the offered salary will cover them and allow you to begin at least a modest savings plan?