The Career Center provides the following tips to assist alumni with a job search. Use them to increase your chances of finding career opportunities. Most career searches these days take on average between 60 and 180 days. These steps will impact your job search by increasing your marketability and exposure to potential employers.
1) Start with your resume. Develop a tailored resume to differentiate yourself and concisely articulate the scope of the most recent positions you have held, along with the business impact of your work within the job. Polish your interviewing skills by using InterviewStream
2) Develop your brand to create exposure and conduct a direct marketing and networking campaign on the internet. Use sites that are frequently indexed by Google. Create your own blog. Create a robust profile on LinkedIn
3) Networking is the most effective tool you have to learn about job openings. To increase your ability to network, learn how to leverage networks online and through personal connections to reveal job leads. As your search progresses, develop a 30 Second Commercial to articulate your core value quickly. Network with ISU Alumni Chapters in your geographic area.
4) Utilize job posting sites including the Career Center’s free job site, Experience for alums to network with employers who want to hire experienced alums. Experience contains job postings, our complete employer database and industry related resume books for employers to see your resume.
5) Develop a targeted list of employers. With fewer jobs posted, utilize directories such as Hoovers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Yellow Pages, U.S. Newspapers or industry associations to research and connect with employers. Get organized with free personal contact databases to track your contacts.
For more information, contact the Career Center at (309) 438-2200 or www.CareerCenter@IllinoisState.edu
