Internships/Job Search
Finding an Internship or Job that is Right for You
Trying to identify an internship or job can be a very overwhelming experience. It is important to remember that your liberal arts background will serve you well in the professional world, as you have many skills and abilities to draw upon. In order to make your search less daunting, we have provided some helpful steps you can take to find the internship or job of your dreams!Determine your targets
The first step is to figure out the fields of interest and types of positions you will pursue in your search. Start with your wish list: What internships or jobs have you always dreamed of doing? This could be your Plan A. Then begin to think in terms of Plan B, so you have other options to search for as well.
Set your geographic range
It is important to have an idea of where you would like to be for an internship or job. Therefore, you should define the region(s) you are willing to move to in order to obtain a position. It can be difficult to find positions or be taken seriously if you are not in the region you wish to find an internship or job. You will most likely have to travel there to secure a position (especially in the case of finding a job). Remember, Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, South Bend, Fort Wayne, and Toledo are all within driving distance of Kalamazoo.
Know your search tools and techniques
There are various ways to learn about an opening for an internship or job:
- Send a letter to inquire about openings
- Call a hiring manager directly
- Answer help-wanted advertisements in daily and Sunday papers
- Use the Internet and visit sites like Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com, or visit a particular company's website
- Register with an employment agency
- Contact friends and family to network
- Visit K-Connect to learn about job postings
Start the paperwork
You will need a resume, cover letters, references, and maybe some writing samples or a presentation portfolio. These are each important, but do not get bogged down on building them. Notice we said "start" them - you will want to move on to more active steps in the search process and finish the paperwork before your first employer contact.
If you are searching for a post-graduate job, keep all receipts related to your search process (especially if you are relocating). Your expenses can be claimed as a tax deduction if you are filing independently. For more specific information, visit the Internal Revenue Services site on Moving Expenses.
Create a contact list
This is not as difficult as many think. It is actually fairly straight-forward to put together a list of organization names, contact people, and phone numbers which you will use for networking and job seeking. Include all possible employers, but understand that you will need to determine who has job openings at any given point in time.
Do your homework
Before you can persuade a prospective employer that you fit their needs, you need to know their needs. That means you need to learn as much as you can about what they do and how they do it. Consult various sources: the Internet, organization brochures, contacts who work in the same organization or field, and newspaper or magazine articles.
Get organized
You'll need to set up a system for tracking contacts you make and receive during a search. Without one, you may be unprepared to respond to an employer's interest.
Fine tune your interviewing skills
Everyone needs to prepare for interviews. Even if you have been successful in interviewing for college admission and summer jobs, this is a different type of interview. Practice, practice, practice!
Initiate contact
Begin the cyclical process of writing, phoning, and visiting your contacts. You do not have to contact everyone on your list at first - develop a strategy for initiating "waves" of contacts.
Follow-up and follow-up some more
Always write "thank you" notes after a contact is made, especially personal visits and telephone contacts with valuable dialogue. You can also reaffirm your interest, check your status, and generally keep your "application" in the eye, ear, and mind of employers.
If you are interested in seeking international opportunities, you may reference our International Opportunities Guide, which includes general information about international internships and jobs, and specific links to opportunities.