The first step in a successful job search is to create an action plan! To avoid being overwhelmed, it is necessary to establish parameters for your search based on the following questions:

• What type of work do you want to do?
• Where do you want to work (organization and location)?
• How large or small of a company do you want?

After answering these questions, you can begin your search. Prior to starting your search you will also want to have an updated résumé, a sample cover letter, portfolio (if necessary / desired), and references / recommendations from faculty and employers.

Contact Lists
Prepare an extensive list of close and distant family members, friends, neighbors, faculty, former employers and family of classmates whom you can contact for suggestions and job leads. Ask them for referrals to others who might be able to help.

College Assistance
Inquire about opportunities to interview on campus, attend job fairs, conduct an internet job search and review the job vacancy notebooks and trade journals in the Career Resource Center.

Employer Lists
Prepare lists of potential employers obtained from employer directories such as Job Choices Annuals, the yellow pages, Chamber of Commerce directories and other specialized directories available in the Career Resource Center and in college and public libraries.

Job Vacancy Listings
Information about specific position listings may be found in a variety of sources: newspapers from cities that interest you, postings in professional newsletters and journals, personnel office postings at places of potential employment, placement services at annual professional conferences and Internet postings. Academic and Career Advising provides job listings through the NHCUC Jobline, KSC Jobs and Internships website and in specialized employment subscriptions. KSC students and graduates may obtain the password for the following subscriptions by contacting the Elliot Center:

Current Jobs for Graduates
ArtSEARCH
Project Connect
Environmental Career Opportunities

Employment Agencies
Employment agencies may be helpful for those with technical education and for experienced personnel. When considering using an employment agency, be well informed about who will pay the fee and how much it will be. Temporary employment agencies can help new graduates gain work experience and knowledge of companies.

Researching Organizations

Before applying for a job with a particular organization, you should know something about that organization, its needs, and what you are able to offer. You will need to spend some time doing research. You should find out the following things:

What You Should Know

1. Size of the organization relative to others in the field.
2. Financial situation / potential for growth (projected goals).
3. Product line or services rendered.
4. Potential new products or services.
5. Geographic location(s) / number of locations.
6. Organizational structure / typical career paths in your field.
7. Type, length and quality of training.
8. Current issues and trends in industry / field.

How to collect research:

1. Read literature published by organizations
2. Research articles about the organization, then read them
3. Read professional publications to get a feel for trends in your career area (examples: trade magazines, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, and Business Week)
4. Check reference books, such as Dun & Bradstreet Directories, Standard and Poor's Register, and Moody's Manuals.
5. Contact professional associations or accrediting organizations for information on membership and accreditation.
6. Talk with People (employees of the organization, friends or others who know someone who works there, recipients of services of products of the organization or people from other organizations who provide services or products to the organization).
7. Visit the organization; utilize its services or products.

Getting Organized

With all this information, it will be difficult to keep things organized and right at hand. The best approach is to create an activity log. Record basic information about the organization as well as other more pertinent information. See example below. Personalize this to fit your needs. Some people do well to keep a separate binder / notebook file with just this information in it. Hint: be sure to note the secretaries' names so that when you call back, you can address them by name - they're the ones who organize their employer's day!