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Job & Internship Search Strategies

First, assess where you are in the process:
Don’t know what you want? I know what I want!

Here are methods to address the search issues with confidence and less confusion.

  1. Self Assessment: know the skills, interest and values you want to utilize. If unsure, the Career Center offers:
    • Career Assessments with Career Center advisers providing feedback to help in this process.
      will link to the page
    • Career Development Workbook need to add to the website assessment page
    • free or low cost online assessments
  2. Research Careers
    • Occupational Information
    • CAN, Career Advise Network: CC alumni database can offer advise, suggestions
    • Alumni Association Mentor Network
    • Career Library Resources
    • Professional organizations don’t know how we’ll link to:
      specific fields.galenet.com
  3. Research Employers
  4. Tools Needed
  5. Marketing Yourself
  6. Finding job/internship
    • Methods to finding work handout

I know What I want to Do!

Job Search Websites

  1. Internationally
  2. Bay Area
  3. Santa Cruz
  4. Southern CA
  • Career Fields
  • Majors

Basics of Effective Networking Steve Piazzale Career Newsletter Feb. ‘05


The statistics vary but most experts claim approximately 75% of the jobs people receive are through contacts. To excel in yourjob hunt, this is where to put a fair amount of energy. There is a subtle difference between "networking" and "informational interviewing." Networking involves building connections between people and can be accomplished in several ways. Informational interviewing is similar, but involves more formally asking folks for input.

Here are 10 basic suggestions that will help you be more effective in your connection building.

  1. Do advance preparation about your contact and his/her organization.
    • The more you demonstrate knowledge and avoid asking obvious questions, the better the connection you’ll make.
    • Think in advance, what can I hope to learn and share with this person?
    • Be sensitive to the schedule and time constraints of your contact. If you ask for 20 minutes, keep to that time frame unless the other person extends the time
  2. Communicate your purpose in making the contact. Tell them about your background and what you hope to learn or get guidance with.
  3. Even though you may be asking questions, remember to communicate your strengths and enthusiasm. You want the contact to think of you as opportunities arise.
  4. Remember to ask two key questions. What would you do if you were in my situation? Who else would you suggest I contact?
  5. The first question can elicit great career guidance tailored to your specific situation and the second question is how you expand your network.
  6. Listen, listen, listen. Absorb everything they‚re saying before you jump in with your next question. Remain open to their input
  7. No bait and switch. DO NOT ask your contact to give you a job.
  8. Look for opportunities to add value to your networking exchange.
    • Send an article that follows up on something you discussed or forward the name of someone your contact might like to meet. As much as possible, use individual communication rather than spamming large groups.
    • Pace your contact frequency so as not to wear out your welcome.
  9. Always, follow-up with a thank you note.
  10. Stay in touch
    • Periodically let your network know the latest--you want to remain in their consciousness.
    • Create a tracking system: EX: a Word table listing the name of your contacts, how you know them, their contact info, what you’ve done so far, and what’s next.