Developing A Job Search Plan

The Office of Career Services at Shawnee State University houses a variety of resources  to assist you in developing your personal job search plan. You will find resources in the Career Library and software on the lab computers to be very helpful. To assist your planning efforts, the following summary highlights some of the primary topics you will need to consider.

SET ASIDE TIME 

Searching for a job takes more time than you might imagine. The first takes is to establish your goals. How many hours per week will you devote to your job search? Schedule those hours on your weekly calendar. Determine how many cover letters and resumes you will send out each week and how many interviews you will schedule each week. 

BE DECISIVE 

Carefully define your career objective(s).

Determine the geographic areas in which you are willing to work.

Calculate the income you are seeking

Determine the benefits important to you.

DEVELOP, PURCHASE, OR GAIN ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES YOU WILL NEED TO CONDUCT YOUR SEARCH

Resume(s)                                    Phone

Cover letter(s)                                Fax

Interviewing skills                           Copier

Computer                                      Postage

Stationary                                     Envelopes

Business apparel for interviews

Funds for traveling to interviews

Databases/calendar for tracking status of Job inquires

Sources of information regarding job opportunities

RESEARCH SOURCES OF INFORMATION REGARDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Directories 

     Manufacturing - hard copy version

     Manufacturing - databases on CD ROM

     Telephone

     Specialty - business, education, health, social service, technical, etc.

     Career Services and most libraries house these and other directories.

Internet

     Visit Career Services for a list of relevant sites.

     Explore selected comprehensive career-related sites on the Web.

     Explore selected local, state and federal government web sites.

     Explore corporate and agency web sites.

     Visit the SSU placement bulletin, Bear Hunter On-Line weekly.

     Access placement bulletins from other colleges and universities.

     Newspaper classified ads are easily accessed via the Web.

     Use a search engine to access the telephone yellow pages.

Job Search Literature

     Career Services and most libraries house a variety of books    

     describing job search techniques. These resources often list sources

     of information regarding job opportunities.

Network

     People will help you....if you ask!

     Alert everyone you know to the fact that your are seeking employment.

     Contact anyone who you feel may assist you in your job search effort.

     Maintain regular contact with Career Services

     Register with the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES

      Meet with a career counselor as needed. 

      Explore the services and resources housed in Career Services

      Utilize Career Library resources.

      Utilize Career Laboratory computers.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

      Contact the Office of Career Services,

      Second Floor, University Center, Room 211, 

      Shawnee State University