Search for a Job / Internship

This virtual community space is designed to help college students and recent graduates navigate the job and internship search process. This community offers a range of resources, including job boards, resume and cover letter workshops, and ways to network with industry professionals. Whether you’re seeking an internship, your first full-time role, or a position post-graduation, this community equips you with the tools and connections to land your dream opportunity.

Define Your Job Target

• Create a list of keywords for these three categories: Position titles, Field or Industry, and Job specific skills. Explore O*Net and LinkedIn Alumni Tool for ideas and existing job titles. Use the KU Majors page and click on your major. Scroll down to the “Jobs to Consider” section and pick out 3-5 jobs that sound interesting.
• Reflect and brainstorm for job specific skills you will enjoy the most. Create a list of your experiences to this point with a category for what you loved & what you were the most confident in. Reflect on what others say you are the best at, and what you are known for.
• Determine if the size of the organization or company is an important factor to you. This can be done by reflecting on environments that bring you the most comfort or completing a Career Assessment. Research companies to help with this via Glassdoor and LinkedIn.
• Establish if location and distance is an essential factor for you. This could be the most limiting factor of your job search target but often the most valuable to create the best filtered search.
• Organize all components above to create options and preferences to allow flexibility but valuable search results. Try to create at least three different targets that use the same foundational components from above.

Manage the Process

• Communicate with those in your network with purpose and clarity. Conduct both written and verbal interactions with your network and visit them in their workplace if available. Organize your network and re-organize throughout.
• Request and conduct an informational interview. This could be with a company in your industry, a professional with the job title you are interested in or someone in your network. Review page six of the Job Search booklet for tips and tricks.
• Develop your professional profile throughout the process. Stay active on LinkedIn by following, commenting and re-posting content related to your target. Ask for feedback from applications that didn’t result in an interview and adjust professional documents accordingly.
• Conduct gap analysis and search for solutions. This could be online certificates for your industry and located on professional association websites. Ask professionals in your informational interview what might be missing from your profile.

Use a Variety of Resources

• Job Board Websites – Search for the position titles that you have selected using the job boards below, using filters to include your specific defined Job Target.
  • Handshake– Local, nationwide and global full-time & part-time job opportunities and internships along career resources tailored to their professional development.
  • Indeed – Significant listings in retail, healthcare, hospitality, administrative support, and customer service.
  • LinkedIn – excels in professional fields such as technology, finance, healthcare, marketing, and management.
  • Glassdoor – focus on technology, finance, consulting, healthcare, and engineering, bolstered by detailed company reviews and salary insights.
  • USA Jobs – official federal government job board for the United States, offering listings for a wide range of government positions across various agencies and departments with specific requirements.
  • Interstride – Domestic and international opportunities with sponsorship information to navigate complexities of job search for international students.
• Company Career Page (going directly to the source)
  • Navigate organizations websites looking for “careers”, “Jobs”, or “Employment”. Great way to ensure you are aware of most current openings and application requirements.  
• Professional Associations
  • Best platforms for locating industry-specific job postings and career development resources tailored to your field.
• Career Fairs/Recruiting
  • Access to exclusive job openings and personalized career advice and opportunities to match you with opportunities that align with your skills and goals.
• Your Network
  • Opportunity for roles that are not listed publicly and share your career goals and obtain referrals or introductions.