Strategies

• Follow stated application deadlines
• Customize your application materials
• Submit quality materials
• Use listings as reference material to apply for future/ related openings

Advantages

• Direct access to job listings and requirements
• Targeting an open position
• An opportunity to individualize resumé and cover letter to specific requirements

Challenges

• Highly competitive due to large number of applicants
• May require substantial number of applications to get responses
• Small percentage of jobs are advertised
• Low placement rate

Strategies

• Ensure that postings are current
• Review websites constantly
• Adhere to submission guidelines
• Customize your resumé
• Use links to research related jobs and organizations
• Verify website reputation before sharing information

Advantages

• Economical and time efficient
• Easy access to many jobs/ organizations
• An opportunity to research related jobs and customize approach to meet criteria
• Ability to search in distant locations

Challenges

• Millions of applicants have "easy" access
• Some postings are not updated frequently
• Many companies don't post online
• May be difficult to check status
• Concerns about information confidentiality

Strategies

• Attend employer information sessions
• Have your resumé reviewed by a career counselor
• Upload your resumé(s) to Aztec Career Connection
• Log in frequently to learn about new listings and schedule on-campus interviews
• Research the employer database to prepare for potential interviews

Advantages

• No-cost, efficient way to contact employers
• Many companies hire exclusively college graduates for specific jobs
• Less competition/ higher success rate than traditional methods
• Ability to research employers in depth through SDSU Career Services' free resources

Challenges

• Not all industries recruit on campus
• Recruiting is active during academic calendar and slows down in summer
• Jobs may be available after graduation

Strategies

• Research employers in advance and create a list to target your top choices at the fair
• View recent fair additions to calendar of events
• Attend "Networking a Career Fair" workshop and pick a flier in Career Services office
• Dress professionally and bring resumés
• Ask questions to learn more about your field
• Obtain business cards and stay in contact

Advantages

• Access to many employers in a brief period of time and a single location
• Very personal approach to learn about companies, careers, and requirements
• Opportunity to network with recruiters
• Many positions target students and recent graduates and may not require experience

Challenges

• Many disciplines may not be represented
• Small companies and non-profit sector representation may be limited
• Hiring may not be immediate

Strategies

• Research agencies to find out about the services offered and their reputation
• Locate agencies that specialize in your field
• Be cautious if you are required to pay a fee
• Highlight relevant experience and transferable skills

Advantages

• Service is normally free to job seekers
• Agencies conduct pre-screening before referral
• A temporary assignment may be the only way to obtain a permanent job with some firms
• An opportunity to survey employers and acquire experience through job assignments

Challenges

• Assignments can be short term
• The variety of jobs can be limited
• It can be difficult to obtain positions for recent graduates with limited experience
• May start at a lower salary than comparable permanent positions
• Agencies' primary commitment is with the paying recrtuiting firm, not the job seeker

Strategies

• Research companies to learn about specific needs
• Customize your prospecting letter to address each company uniquely
• Obtain the name of the hiring manager and address this person
• Follow up by phone whenever possible

Advantages

• Ability to target employers in a specific field
• May access unadvertized positions
• Employer may be impressed with a well-tailored mailing

Challenges

• Time consuming
• Requires significant research and high degree of individualization
• Response rates are low

Strategies

• Use business phone directories to locate employers
• Learn about company before calling/ visiting
• Develop meaningful questions to ask
• Have a resumé/ cover letter ready
• Schedule an informational interview

Advantages

• Personal contact with hiring authority
• Resumé/ Application can be submitted directly to hiring manager
• May become aware of unadvertized current and future vacancies
• Access to jobs that are never posted
• An opportunity to obtain new contacts

Challenges

• Takes time to research companies and contact information
• It is difficult to access hiring managers
• Requires being assertive and willing to take risks
• Success rate is low (1 in 20 average)

Strategies

• Inform people that you are searching for a job
• Provide details about the desired job
• Ask contacts if they know someone who can help
• Update and distribute your resumé
• Contact new leads and expand network
• Stay in touch with all contacts
• Join professional organizations/ clubs
• Attend events/ conferences and network
• Volunteer for boards and organizations

Advantages

• Effective way to find jobs
• May learn tips about company and hiring trends from "inside" sources
• Ability to access the "hidden" job market and find jobs that will not be advertized
• Less competition than traditional search
• May be referred to a company that only hires through employee/ contact referrals
• An opportunity to expand network

Challenges

• Requires significant time and effort
• Willingness totalk to any potential contact
• May require talking to numerous contacts before obtaining results
• Requires tenacity to follow up
• Contacts need to be maintained over time