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  • Job Search, Resumes, Interviews
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    Job Search Strategy, Resumes, Cover Letters & Interviews


    A successful job search strategy includes identifying potential employers and job openings, preparing a targeted resume and cover letter for each job opening, knowing what you need to do to ace the interview.

    What is the difference between a job search and a job search strategy? When career advisors talk about a job search strategy they are acknowledging the fact that the more diverse and systematic your job-hunting tactics, the more likely you are to have success. Compare MonsterTrak's A Winning Job Search Strategy to College Students' Top 10 Job Search Mistakes.

    Identify Organizations & Seek Job Openings

    The Career Development Center helps IU students find jobs. Start with find a job or internship and a brief overview of the job search process. Be sure not to miss:

    Psychology and Social-Services job databases

    Your resume & cover letter are the tools you will use to get interviews. The information below will help you draft a professional resume and cover letter.

    • The Career Development Center's resume page will help you reflect on what you've done as student, a volunteer, or employee and then turn those experiences into accomplishment statements to create a resume targeted for a particular job or internship. What you must know about resume content & format -> Writing a resume. Also see the cover letter page.
    • The Kelley School of Business Undergraduate Career Services has a very helpful resume page including where to begin, guidelines, how to highlight study abroad experiences, skills that interest employers, and tips about electronic resumes and online application systems. A good cover letter page, too.
    • MonsterTrak - Avoid the Top 10 Resume Mistakes & Resume Checklist & Seven First Time Resume Concerns
    • IU students can go to the Career Development Center or Writing Tutorial Services to have their resume and cover letter critiqued. You should seek feedback from professionals in the career field in which you are interested!

    Interviews - You'll need knowledge and practice. The purpose of your job interview is to demonstrate that you are a professional person, you took the time to research the employer's organization and this specific position, and that you have substantial past experience that proves you're qualified for the job.

    The Career Development Center emphasizes preparing for interviews - research & practice and provides a handout with commonly asked interview questions.

    A few of MonsterTrak's best articles: