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Period: to
Sophomore, Junior or Senior Year
This timeline can be applicable for sophomores, juniors or seniors in college, for both internships and/or jobs. **Months on the timeline are approximations. Consult with a personal career advisor to tailor your timeline to your specific needs and field. -
Create A General Resume
The first step in the job search is creating your resume. If you already have one already, update it and tailor it to specific job needs. Helpful tip: Have a career advisor read over your resume to check for any errors before you submit it to potential employers! -
Set up a LinkedIn Profile.
Visit LinkedIn's website and create a profile. On this site you will add information about yourself, including where you attend school and previous employment experiences. You will also use this site to network with other people you currently know, wish to know (such as future employers, etc.), as well as use it to search and apply for future jobs. -
Polish your Social Media & Check your Online Presence
Start with a Google Search. Consider setting a Google Alert for your name to stay on top of anything that might appear when your name is entered in the search engine.
Polish your social media. Delete any content that might deem inappropriate to employers.
Sources:
http://time.com/money/3614301/recruiters-social-media-job-search/ -
Consult with a Career Advisor
Consult with a career advisor for initial research. They will help you narrow your search and identify a target career path and environment you would like.
They are also the connection between employers and yourself. Use them as resources to start initial networking!
Each major at UW-Madison has its own entity of faculty that are more than willing to help students with all things related to the internship/job process
Visit the UW Career Services website for assistance in finding your advisor. -
Network
At this point in the job search, networking should be your main goal.
Attend information sessions related to your major/potential career path. Seek UW-Madison Alumni that currently are in or have been in the job field you wish to pursue. BadgerBridge is extremely helpful for this.
Stay in touch with these people on LinkedIn. Ask them any questions you might have about their profession and their advice in succeeding professionally. -
Find Applications
Check LinkedIn, BuckyNet, personal company websites and/or student job postings online for any applications that you would like to apply for. -
Fine-tune Your Resume.
Tweak your resume to best support each application for any job you may apply for. This will strengthen your application as it is tailor exactly to each job you apply for, putting your most applicable content forward.
Check back with a career advisor with your resume to double-check style, grammar, punctuation and content. -
Apply for your Internship or Job!
Now that you have a few applications narrowed down, begin to fill out their applications.
Include anything they may ask for, including resumes, cover letters and any other additional work that may be applicable. Triple check all your work. Refer back to your career advisor to look over your application before submitting it.
The largest volume of applications are generally received by employers between late February and early April. -
Practice your Interview Skills
Schedule a time with your career advisor to set up a mock interview to prepare for the potential of acquiring an interview with an employer.
In general, it is advised to research the company your job application is for. Practice articulation and having a good interview presence. Be able to speak to all the experiences you provide on your resume. Your career advisor should be able to provide assistance in all of these areas, as well as provide additional tips to succeed in interviews. -
Waiting Period & Beyond
After applying for your jobs or internships, your work is not quite yet over.
Still continue to network, as expanding your connections will always be beneficial, especially for future jobs you may apply for.
Even after you complete an internship or job you gained through this process and you may not have enjoyed it, stay in touch with these contacts for future referrals, recommendations and any other networking needs.
