Top tips to excel at a job search
A career search can be challenging no matter when you’re entering the job market. It may seem even more uncertain during the global pandemic with many businesses and organizations working remotely.
Check out the seven tips below for maximizing your job search with resources from Business Career Services. Alumni should also see our alumni career services.
Tips for a successful job search
1. Take time to reflect
Before beginning a search, it’s important to take a step back to create clarity about your intended search. Start with your values, motivations and goals. If you’re an accomplished career professional, take some time to reflect on what you’ve learned from your previous work, and how you hope to grow or contribute in your next role.
If you are beginning your career, take some time to map out your strengths, work values, and industry interests on one document. A good place to start for undergraduate students is the Quinlan Career Ready guide, a step-by-step guide, meant to empower you to develop the most critical competencies for the workforce. Graduate students can utilize BCS’s Individual Career Progression Plan to identify their goals and track their career progress.
2. Meet with a career coach
Career coaches help currently enrolled, degree-seeking students and alumni individually to identify your career hopes, goals, and action plans. Career coaches empower you to take action as you launch into the workforce or further your professional aspirations. To meet with a BCS career coach, self-schedule a personalized career coaching appointment and visit virtual drop-in hours through Handshake.
3. Join targeted job sites
Meet employers where they are by joining job sites available through Loyola. On Handshake, all Loyola students can view job postings, upcoming career events, and more. Alumni can request access to Handshake as well.
Quinlan graduate students can tap into MBA-Exchange.com Premium Services specifically designed for MBA and MS business students. Find global career opportunities, current employer information, and recruiting opportunities and events online. Premium services are available to students currently in Quinlan graduate degree programs and through to six months following degree completion. Use your Loyola email address to register.
LinkedIn is also a valuable job search tool. Follow companies in your field to learn more about company culture and initiatives, and to connect with current employees.
4. Attend events
Attend one or more of the University Career Fairs. There's something for everyone, with fairs for students and alumni to fairs specifically for accounting, supply chain, or marketing careers. Students can check out Biz Buzz or the Graduate Weekly Announcements to keep up to date on other Quinlan events such as shadow days, expert panels, and infomation sessions.
Keep in mind, events aren’t only to identify possible job or internship opportunities, but also to expand your vision of what could be possible. Be sure to follow-up or connect on LinkedIn with some of the people you meet during the event.
5. Find program-specific resources
Business Career Services has compiled toolkits, resources, and resume samples for graduate and undergraduate Quinlan students. From general resources to program-specific tools, there are a plethora of resources to jumpstart your career journey.
6. Research, research, research
Knowledge is power in your career search. Take time to research industries, markets, and trends related to your field. Vault is your 24/7 career intelligence resource recommended by Business Career Services and offered through University Libraries. Vault offers relevant and timely career articles and resources to research industries, companies, professions, and opportunities.
Additionally, it gives you important and valuable guidance about how to prepare and position yourself with business and recruiting professionals.
7. Join Loyola Mentors
Engaging with the Loyola alumni community is a rich resource of wisdom and insight. Build relationships Quinlan alumni and learn from their career stories through Loyola Mentors. This powerful platform will help you navigate your career, even in the midst of a pandemic. Loyola Mentors is open to undergraduate and graduate Quinlan students and Quinlan alumni.
