Searching for a Job or Internship

The job/internship process can be long and stressful. Where should you look? What should you look for? How do you know if it's a good fit? Below are some tips for navigating the world of job/internship search. For additional assistance, contact the Center for Student Success.

When should you start looking?

It is never too early to start your search. Filling out applications and interviewing takes time, so it is best to not wait. A lot of employers will allow you to start after you finish the semester, so start looking a few months in advance. If you aren't ready to apply yet, it is still a great idea to familiarize yourself with terms and application portals.

Where to look:

There are multiple platforms to search for jobs or internships. These platforms allow you to search for a position and filter by location, part-time, full-time or internship. After you click through a few roles, the system will save recommendations for you. You also have the option to save jobs to view later. Some sites to look at are:

Keywords to type in:

Maybe you know what career you want to pursue and maybe you don't. When it comes to finding a job or internship, there are many paths you can go down. How do you know what to search for? Start with a keyword and use that word to narrow down your search.

Tips for utilizing the best keywords:

Brainstorm all the keywords that might fall under your area of study
Start by typing in a general word or your major
1. e.g., "Communication"
Select a job that sounds interesting and read through the description
Use the description to discover different paths
1. e.g., "Communication" --> Communication Specialist. Under the role description it says, "Lead social media efforts."
2. Now you can search "Social Media"
3. "Social Media" --> Social Media Intern. This role description states, "Coordinate with the marketing team."
4. Now you can search "Marketing"
5. "Marketing" --> Marketing Associate --> "Oversee design and copywriting for advertising materials and editorial content."

Perhaps you never thought about working specifically with advertising materials, but that interests you more than social media. By starting off with a broad word and reading various job descriptions, you become exposed to different departments and potential roles. This example applies to various fields. For example, your major is accounting. Do you want to be a tax consultant, budget analysis, payroll accountant? Keywords in each of these descriptions can lead you to another position.

What should you ask yourself while looking at a position?

While searching for a future job or internship you should keep two things in mind:

Does the job interest you?
Do you possess the required skillset?

Just because you found a job in your field and have the required skills doesn't mean you will love what you do. Look into the organization, their values, and what the company stands for. The most important part of finding a job or internship is finding a place you'll fit in and be happy.

Every open position has a "Requirements" or "Qualifications" section. Before applying it is important to recognize what skills you possess and if you'll meet the company's needs.

What are some possible skills and what do they mean?

Examples of hard skills:

Office 365 (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
- Don't say you are an expert in Excel if when asked to make a pivot table you don't know what to do.
Adobe Suite (Premiere, InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)
- "Proficient in InDesign" means you will be completing projects in InDesign.
Bilingual (English, Spanish, French, etc.)
- If they are looking for someone to be fluent in another language, you will be expected to be able to regularly speak and write to others in that language.

Examples of soft skills:

Open to criticism
- If the job indicates you must be open to criticism, you will constantly be receiving feedback on your work. It is important to consider how receptive you are to feedback before you take on the role.
Self-motivated
- Everyone has a different work style. If an employer is looking for a self-motivated individual, you will be expected to take initiative and complete tasks on your own. If you are someone who performs better with guidance, this role might not be the best fit for you.
Adaptable
- A position that requires an adaptable person is a position with responsibilities that may vary every day. Some people thrive off completing different projects each day, others need more structure. Before you commit to a role with constant changes, ask yourself how flexible you are when things don't go as planned.

It is important to think about what a particular role requires and how you fit those requirements. You may be an expert with technology or numbers but not open to feedback. If this is the case, there is another organization out there where being receptive to feedback isn't a priority. Don't just check off boxes (degree, GPA, prior experience), interpret what the job requires, and the organization is looking for.

On-campus employment opportunities for AU Students:

Over 650 students are employed on campus across academic, administrative, and support service departments. On-campus employment is flexible and allows you to set your schedule around class, practice, or other commitments you have. Student workers are limited to working 15 hours a week during the semester. However, they may work more hours over break and during the summer.

How to find open positions on-campus: