JOBTALKS
Job and
Internship
Search
Strategies
Indiana University
Kelley School of Business
C. Randall Powell, Ph.D
Four Critical Elements of an Effective
Job and Internship Search
 Self-Assessment
– Defining your skills
– Putting your skills to work
 Goal Setting
– Must have a goal to be effective
 Effective Resume Preparation
– Your advertisement
– What you have to sell “YOU”
 Interviewing/Negotiating Techniques
– Mastering the interview
– Answering interview questions
Ground Rules to Consider
 Easy to follow strategy
– Get yourself organized
 Finding a job is a full-time job
– Planning your career
 Networking
 Assessment of personal essential needs
and desires
 Experience, knowledge and skills
 Two-parties have needs that must be met
Strategy to Consider
 Identify opportunities that align with your
goals and interests
 Convince employers that they need to
interview you to determine if you meet their
needs and have the potential to succeed
 Prepare to present “Product YOU”
Step 1
 Understand the Employment Marketplace
– Take time to understand the realities in today’s
employment marketplace. They may differ from
your expectations.
– Consider the local job market –country variations
– U.S. Department of Labor statistics
 Occupational Outlook by industry
 www.careerstop.org (US marketplace only)
Step 2
 Make a Plan to Achieve Your Job Search
Goals
– Establish and follow a plan to meet your
objectives.
– Set a time table for achieving each goal and
stick to it as closely as possible
– Make yourself accountable
– Keep accurate records
Step 3
 Gather Information About Your Targeted an
Internship/Job Through Networking and
Research
– Determine your employment needs and desires.
– Investigate job functions, industries and
geographical locations of jobs where you have
an initial interest.
– Review Future trends
Step 4
 Refining the Resume to Package “Product
YOU”
– Identify and document your marketable
experience, knowledge, and skills
 Visual Impact
 Be Positive
 Be Honest
 Target your qualifications
– Utilize information from your research and
networking to package and market YOU
Step 5
 Secure Referrals and Introductions Through
Your Network
– Utilize networking contacts from alumni and
friends
– Choose your references with care
– “Thank you” is a powerful statement.
 Unfortunately, it is seldom heard.
Step 6
 Get an Interview with the Decision Maker
– Take networking contacts to the next level to
secure introductions with decision makers that
will lead to interviews.
– Goal of a job search campaign is to meet faceto-face with employers
– Preparation is critical to success.
 Research the employer, the industry, and the job
Step 7
 Final Preparation to Ace the Interview
– Your power in a job search is in making
effective presentations to employers regarding
your knowledge, skills, work experience, and
motivation for that interviewer and job.
– Build information learned during your
networking efforts to reinforce your fit with the
targeted job.
– Maintain a good attitude and a healthy sense
of humor
Step 8
 The Interview and Follow-Up
– Review what to expect during the interview and
pitfalls to avoid – interview presentation.
– Learn how to measure your fit during an on-site
interview.
– Develop a plan to close the sale and properly
follow-up
– Preparation is critical to good telephone
communication. Scripting is simply planning
what you are going to say before you say it.
Step 9
 Deliver “Product YOU’
– Your start date is set.
– Assure them you delivered on your potential.
– Plan to stay connected in order to retain your
value and marketability.
Career Center Website Resources
 Career Resource Links: Review Topics
– Career/Job/Internship Search
– Industry Job Search
– Geographic Job Search
– Internships and Volunteer Work
– Interview Resources
– Salary & Relocation
Conclusion
 An effective strategy will help you use
printed resources, web-based resources,
and networking contacts to help you identify
and consider a variety of jobs until you
secure the opportunity you want.
– Your employment future is your responsibility.
– Savvy job seekers will make full us of the wide
array of resources provided to them.
If you would like to
learn more, Career
Planning Strategies
textbook will supply
additional information
on this topic.