Resume Writing | Cover Letter Writing | Networking | Portfolio Guidelines
| Interviewing Success | Job Hunt Strategies | Job Search Checklist

Job Hunt Strategies

Looking for Summer/Part-time Employment?
Spring Break Job Strategy
Summer Job Search
Internship

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SUMMER OR PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT?

The job search should begin before you plan to start work. Possibly months in advance. A summer job should be sought by spring break, at the latest. Today, jobs are hard to come by and the market is extremely competitive. Don't wait. The OCS receives job and volunteer opportunities daily. Access the following website for employment and internship opportunities
www.collegecentral.com/assumption

Draft a resume even if you think you do not have anything substantial to put on it. Reflect upon your education and past experiences. Include activities, organizations, clubs, memberships, volunteer work, sports and other involvement. Include your computer knowledge and language skills. These activities may reflect your transferable skills.

The Office of Career Services can assist you with all of the above.

A cover letter should entice the potential employer to want to interview you. You are what you write.

SPRING BREAK JOB STRATEGY (back to top)

If the 1.2 million college seniors want to get a head start in finding jobs, they may want to give up spring break. So says John Challenger of the placement firm of Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Rather than heading to the beach, offer to fill in for a company's vacationing employees or people out sick. "Such a strategy, even, part-time, will get you inside a company to show them your stuff," says Challenger. February 24, 2002 T&G Parade Magazine.

SUMMER JOB SEARCH (back to top)

Think about employers who may be seeking summer help. Year-round businesses such as restaurants, recreation centers, park departments,
supermarkets, department stores, daycare centers, hospitals, state or federal government agencies, office buildings, and factories are just a few of the many options.

Also think about summer season employers such as camps, resorts, national parks, theme and amusement parks, lawncare and landscaping services.

Check the yellow pages and the internet.

INTERNSHIP (back to top)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a college president, a chief financial officer, a professor, administrator, physician,
chiropractor, dentist, lawyer, teacher, therapist, accountant, public relations director, audiologist, psychologist, pharmaceutical sales representative, museum curator, media personnel, or other?

Many students consider gaining experience in their area of interest. An internship for college credit offers a time-limited, intensive learning experience outside the traditional classroom. Under supervision at a workplace setting, you may gain a broad overview of the day-to-day world of work. Internships offer opportunities for career networking and can significantly increase your chances of landing a full-time position. Internships offer a relatively quick way to gain work experience and develop job skills.

A well-chosen internship can provide job training and accumulated hours in an actual career field. Internships help you take your existing knowledge and skills and apply them in ways that will help you compete for professional employment. When you apply for a position and can explain during your interview that you have experience, you may be considered a more valuable candidate.

Believe it or not, the best internship may tell you what you don't want to do for the next ten or twenty years. Think about it.

Students can learn about internship opportunities from professors, department chairs, Dean of Studies, alumni, and others.
Plan to visit the Office of Career Services (OCS) to peruse the internship listings, the Peterson's Internship Resource Guide (which explores nearly 50,000 paid and unpaid opportunities located all over the world,) and the OCS binders which contain volunteer and job opportunities where you may gain hands-on experience in a variety of fields.

Our Mentor Profiles are helpful. Additionally, students may contact Assumption College alumni/mentors who serve as guides and resources. This is a fun and informative way to learn more about the world of work.

Remember that it is primarily up to you to get the most out of your internship.

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