Launching a job search is a job within itself.  Time is needed to search and identify potential positions, network with employers and fill out applications. Follow the steps below to help guide you through your search:

Step 1: Exploration

In order to simplify the job search process it is important that you know what types of jobs you are interested in pursuing. Explore your options by:

• Taking an interest inventory such as the Strong Interest Inventory or CareerLeader. Contact The Career Center for more information (410-617-2232 or thecareercenter@loyola.edu).
• Exploring websites that highlight industries such as The Occupational Outlook Handbook, or The O*Net.
• Conducting Informational Interviews of professionals already working in the industries you would like to pursure. See a list of suggested questions (PDF).

Step 2: Prepare Your Professional Image

One aspect of the job search is launching your own personal marketing campaign. In essence, you have to sell yourself to every potential employer. Key aspects of your marketing campaign are:

• Develop a powerful resume (PDF)
• Develop impactful cover letters (PDF)
• Polish your interviewing skills (PDF)
• Learn how to negotiate salaries

Step 3: Locate Position Announcements

The savvy job seeker will use a plethora of vehicles to locate job announcements and learn of companies who are hiring. The most common methods for finding job postings are:

• Loyola Resources:
  • Hounds4Hire: The Career Center’s web-based recruiting system with more than 4,500 employer contacts and 1,200 alumni contacts
  • See an entire list of The Career Center's online job search resources
  • The Online Community for Loyola Alumni
• Networking: See everyone who comprises your network (PDF)
• Alumni Associations
• Research industries to find companies
  • Hounds4Hire
  • CareerSearch
  • Hoovers (also available through Hounds4Hire)
  • Wetfeet.com
  • Bizjournals.com (access the online Journals and Book of Lists through Inside Loyola)

• On-Campus Recruitment (see a listing of who's coming on campus through Hounds4Hire)
• Career Fairs
• Direct mail/email campaigns and cold calling
• Temporary Placement Agencies
• Company websites
• Newspapers (print and online)
• Headhunters/Permanent Placement Agencies
• Professional Associations
• Volunteerism
• Online career/job posting sites:

Step 4: Manage Your Job Search

Job searching is very time consuming. In addition, in today's technologically advanced world, much of our initial contact will occur over email or through some sort of application processing system. Therefore, it is essential that you spend an adequate amount of time on your job search each week and keep accurate records.

• Track: Contact names, dates, application copies, and letters
• Download a Job Search Progress Tracking form (PDF)
• Schedule your job search time, especially on the Internet, in blocks. It may take 3-6 months or more to land an opportunity. You must use your time wisely between searching for leads, networking, filling out applications, and mailing resumes.
• Don't forget to take time and send thank you notes after interviews and to contacts who forward you job leads.
• Spend your time trying more than one method of job searching. Don't get stuck behind a computer!