INTERNSHIP & JOB SEARCH GUIDE

I. Searching for Postings

II. Soliciting Openings That May Not be Widely Posted
                    *Strategies for Soliciting Openings
                    *Soliciting Openings: The Approach-What to Say

I. SEARCHING FOR POSTINGS

Resources for Locating Postings:

• OleRecruiting database
• NACElink database
• General megasites (Monster, HotJobs, etc.)
• City newspaper classifieds online
• Individual company websites or Human Resources office
• "Internships & Jobs by Interest Area" links on CEL website
• Other positions by interest area links (find by searching Yahoo or Google by typing in "Internships or Jobs in ...(interest area)..."
• Other colleges' career center websites in that location
• Association/professional organization websites (find by searching for "Association ...(interest area)..."
• Staffing agencies (temp agencies, headhunters)
• Alumni (Online Alumni Directory-search by occupational area, city, major), faculty, friends

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II. SOLICITING OPENINGS THAT MAY NOT BE WIDELY POSTED

Resources for Identifying Organizations to Target:

• Alumni (Online Alumni Directory-search by occupational area, city, major), faculty, friends
• OleRecruiting (company of interest may be posting a job in a department that is not your interest)
• Directories (MN Nonprofit Directory, for example)
• Yellow pages for that city (also found online)
• Online search (find by searching Yahoo or Google by typing in "(interest area) (city)" or other combinations
• JobBank books on CEL shelves
• Chamber of Commerce in a specific city
• Association/professional organization websites (find by searching for "Association ...(interest area)..."

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STRATEGIES FOR SOLICITING OPENINGS:

• Visit company website to check for openings
• Call the organization and inquire if there are any new or anticipated/upcoming openings
• Mail a cover letter and resume to the director of your department of interest
• Network with alumni, family, friends who might work there

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SOLICITING OPENINGS
THE APPROACH-WHAT TO SAY

WHEN NETWORKING WITH AN ALUM OR OTHER REFERRAL:

(Never start out asking for a internship or job!)

"Hi, my name is ___________. I am a ___(class year)____ at St. Olaf College exploring employment opportunities in the field of ___(occupational area)____, in ___(city)____. I am particularly interested in what your company/organization does, I found your name on the online alumni directory (or it was passed on to me by ___(name)___). I was hoping you might be someone I could talk to about what it's like working for ___(company name)____. Is now a good time to discuss this, or might we set up a time that I could come in and meet with you?"

Through the course of the conversation, ask things like:

• What career path led you to this job?
• How would you recommend someone break into this field?
• Do you know of any good resources for finding jobs in this field?
• Do you know of any current openings here or at similar organizations?
• Can you refer me to any other organizations or people that I might talk with about working in _____(occupational field)_____?
• Would you mind offering me some feedback on my résumé?

** Be prepared to answer questions about your own experiences, skills, interests and goals, and always follow up with a thank you note!

Please refer to our handout or online link on Informational Interviewing for additional questions and tips.

WHEN CALLING A COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION TO INQUIRE ABOUT INTERNSHIPS OR JOBS:

If you do not have a specific contact name, say to the person who answers:

"I'd like to speak with the director of _____(department of interest)______, please." "Hi, my name is _______. I'm calling to inquire if you currently have any job openings available for ___(position type)___ or if you anticipate any openings in the near future?"

If no,

"Might I mail you a copy of my résumé to keep on file in the event that something should become available?"

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