Bates College | Job Search Hints

Clarify Your Focus

To get hired you need to know what kind of job you are looking for, and as much as possible about the realities of that job/field. Analyze your interests, values, and skills to determine what career fields match them. An OCS counselor can help with this process. Know as much as possible about the specific companies to which you want to apply.

Utilizing Networking &"Informational Interviews"

Every person you meet is a potential source of information.
Identify everyone you know: What is their career/employer? Can they refer you to contacts that might lead to a job? Can they let you know of openings? Can they help you arrange an Informational Interview?
Tell people what kind of jobs you are seeking and give them a copy of your resume.
Identify people in an organization likely to employ someone in your field of interest and ask for an Informational Interview. Tell them that you are researching a particular profession and the trends in the area. Do not mention that you are looking for a job. Your main goal is to establish a contact who can provide advice and information and can steer you in the direction of possible leads. Approaching them as an expert or advisor is more likely to result in their referring you to other valuable contacts.
OCS has listings of over 5200 alumni and 600 parents who are willing to talk with you.

Join a Professional Association

Keep up-to-date on trends in the field through networking and listening to guest speakers.

Consider Temporary Work

Temporary work can help you investigate different companies and give you exposure that could lead to full-time employment in the future.

Organize Your Job Search

Keep track of your contacts.
Develop a system to remind yourself of follow-up calls.
Have a strong cover letter that summarizes what you can offer the employer.

Take a High Visibility Part-Time Job

As a waiter, receptionist, etc., you come into contact with many people. Make conversation - let them know about you and your job search.

Maintain Contact with Former Professors & Employers

Discuss your job search and ask for suggestions and contacts.

Talk to People in Your Social Life

Inquire as to their career/company and talk about your job search.
Discover leads for informational interviews.

Use the Office of Career Services on a Regular Basis

We have permanent and part-time job listings and seasonal- i.e. summer, jobs and internships.
We have names of companies who have advertised jobs in the past. They can be more receptive to new inquiries by seniors.
We have directories of all kinds to help uncover possible employment leads.

Use Directories of Companies/Employers

Examples:

International Research Centers Directory
Maine Manufacturing Directory
National Directory of Non-Profit Organizations
Dun's Employment Opportunities Directory
Directory of Foreign Firms Operating in the U.S.
Gale Environmental Sourcebook

Utilize Direct Mail

Be sure to obtain the name of the person who would most likely be doing the hiring - i.e. the manager of a department or president of a small company.
Learn all you can about the company (hiring policies, product/service, performance, etc.).
Send a copy of your resume with a brief cover letter expressing your career objective and your interest in their company.
Follow up with a telephone call to that person and ask for a meeting to obtain information on the occupation of interest found in their company and on the company.

Take an Internship or Volunteer for a Company

Some paying internships are available for recent graduates. Typically in the summer, these internships give you exposure and a chance to learn about job openings.

The OCS has internship listings.

Check into Federal Job Openings

Many federal departments can now direct-hire employees.