• It typically takes six to nine months to conduct a successful job search.
• Networking can assist in cutting the time of your job search. This is an ongoing process that may begin early in your college experience.
  
  

• Know yourself. Clarify life and career goals. Assess career interests, values and skills.
• Complete a well-written and updated resume.
• Learn how to write effective, personalized cover letters.
• Develop strong interviewing skills.
• Select references and discuss your career plans and their contribution to your job search.
• Develop knowledge of salary statistics and salary negotiation skills.
• Research companies that interest you.
• Establish a timeline. Determine the time you will spend on your job search each day, each week, or each month.
• Get organized. Create a method of documenting and organizing your job leads and communications.
  

Network! This is the process of interacting with others who can provide information about an industry or available positions within it.  

Register with Millsaps College Career Center! This office provides job search assistance, a career resource center, career coaching/testing, and workshops. Special events include career fairs and on-campus recruitment.

Scan periodicals and vacancy lists! In addition to city and local newspapers, specialty periodicals often have classified sections with job ads. Check at your local library or ask your academic department.

Use the Internet! Although Richard Nelson Bolles (author of What Color Is Your Parachute?) tells us that the Internet has a 7% success rate, it remains a popular tool for job seekers. Some examples of sites that target new college graduates are www.experience.com and www.collegegrad.com.

Register with a private employment agency! This is a good method for finding temporary or permanent employment, however be cautious. Target agencies that DO NOT charge the job seeker and be sure to read all contracts carefully before signing.

Register with a public employment agency! Each state has a service that posts current job openings. These services are usually free and most beneficial when visited on a regular basis. For the Mississippi site, go to www.ajb.dni.us.

Try internal campaigning! A way of proving your "worth" to employers is through volunteering and/or interning with a company. Think of this as an extended interview highlighted by your job performance.

Attend job fairs! Employers are invited to recruit employees at colleges as well as regional organization and industry related events.

Try direct mail, cold calls, or site visits! Market yourself to a company whether you are aware of open position or not. This is done by directly mailing a cover letter and resume, calling or visiting an employer in person.

Q: I sent an unsolicited resume directly to the company, but they have not called. What do I do?

A: Allow time for the resume to arrive and be routed internally. Then, call to see if the resume has arrived. Ask what the company policies are regarding applications. Also, ask if there are available positions. Career professionals report that the chances of getting an interview from mailing an unsolicited resume increase when the company is contacted prior to sending the resume.

Q: I sent my resume in response to an actual job posting. When should I hear a response?

A: Allow time for the resume to arrive and be routed internally. Again, call to see if the resume has arrived and ask for the time frame of reviewing resumes, conducting interviews, and making offers. If you do not hear from them within ten days, call and ask the status of the search. It is recommended that students vary their contact by using mail, the telephone and email.

Q: I had an interview with a company. Will they call me about their hiring decision?

A: At the end of the interview, ask the recruiter when to expect an offer. If you do not hear anything within a few days after the interview, do not hesitate to call. Job seekers should definitely call if one week has passed.