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Make sure you look at several different occupations when exploring careers. It’s important to keep an open mind, even if you think you know what you want to do. And it’s really important to know about the careers you’re interested in. How much will you earn? How much training and education do you need? How many jobs openings there will be in the future? If you don’t take the time to really explore careers now, you may regret it in the future when you end up working in a career that’s not right for you.

The internet isn’t the only place to find out about job openings. Use your network and ask around to see if anyone knows of any job openings or employers who might be hiring. (See Step 4 for more information on networking). For some types of jobs, contacting a business directly is the best way to find out if they’re hiring. If you’re contacting people or businesses to ask about job opportunities, always make sure to be professional and polite.

Tip 1	Call or visit a business in person to ask if the employer is hiring. You can email the employer, but it’s usually best to call. Read through an email before you click “send” to find spelling or other errors. Introduce yourself in your emails and provide your contact information. Avoid visiting or calling during peak times for the business.
Tip 2	Always introduce yourself using your first and last name. Briefly tell the person why you’re contacting them.
Tip 3	Be polite and professional with any person you’re in contact with. A business’s employees often have input in the hiring process, even when they aren’t in charge of hiring.
Tip 4	Always shake hands and maintain eye contact with people you speak to in person. Make sure you’re showered and wear clean clothes that are similar to what you’d wear to an interview.
Tip 5	If someone recommended you to an employer or professional contact, your behavior will be a reflection of them as well as you. Make sure that you leave the best impression possible, even if you don’t get a job from the connection.

There are a lot of ways to narrow your job search. Try different searches using several different keywords. Search by area, but include the city you want to work in and other surrounding cities. You’d be surprised what you do and don’t see based on the criteria you set for your online job search. Take the time to browse through the openings of your different searches to create a list of jobs you want to apply for.

Use job fairs to develop your professional network and learn about employers and job opportunities. Job fairs are one of the best opportunities to get an employer’s attention because you can present yourself face-to-face instead of just having to catch the employer’s interest through a résumé and cover letter.

Introducing yourself to someone you don’t know and someone you’re trying to impress can be intimidating. Here are some tips on how to be prepared and get the most out of a job fair.

Tips to Prepare for the Job Fair

1. Find out which employers will be at the job fair and research those employers. Plan to attend job fairs in advance and get a list of the employers that will be at a job fair if possible. Spend time researching each company or organization, including what they do, how they are organized, and any current job openings on their website. You will only have a short time to talk to each employer, so go in knowing about the company so you can spend more time talking about what you have to offer.
2. Apply to job openings you’re interested in before the job fair. If you see a job you’re interested in, apply for it. Keep notes on the jobs you applied for so you can refer to them when you meet the employer.
3. Prepare several versions of your résumé and take hard and electronic copies to the job fair. Tailor your résumé to the employers you plan to meet at the job fair. Use your general résumé, but prepare a few different versions that highlight different skills and objectives. These résumés shouldn’t be more than one page.
4. Prepare a brief summary of yourself and your strengths to tell employers. Be ready to talk about the major points of your résumé. Share basic history on your skills and experience and discuss how they can benefit the employer.

At the Job Fair

1. Dress like you would if you were going to an interview.
2. Introduce yourself using your first and last name. Shake hands and maintain eye contact with the employer.
3. If you attend with other people, don’t stay in a group. Break off on your own to meet employers.
4. Attend the job fair as early as possible
5. Get the business card of each employer you talk to and carry a notepad to take notes.

Beyond the Job Fair

1. Follow up with each person you met within 24 hours of the job fair. Remind them of who you are and the highlights of your conversation.
2. Send a new résumé directly to the employer if you changed and improved it based on your conversation at the job fair. You might also attach an electronic résumé if you gave the employer a paper copy.
3. Immediately apply for any jobs you learned about.
4. Stay in contact with the employer, even if the employer isn’t hiring or doesn’t have a job for you right now. Add that person into your professional network for the future.

The best way to make a good impression is to meet with a potential employer in person or talk to him/her on the phone. In today’s technology-based world, however, your first chance to introduce and sell yourself is often through your résumé. Most employers require one. Always have a résumé prepared, even if you’re not actively looking for work.

It’s not always easy to put your strengths and qualifications into a well-drafted résumé. The Résumé Builder tool can help. You might also want to use example résumés as guides for what to include.

Tip 1	Customize your résumé for each job by highlighting your skills and experiences that best match the job. Use keywords directly from the job posting. Some employers use software to find keywords and phrases from the job posting in your résumé.
Tip 2	Limit your résumé to no longer than two pages.
Tip 3	Avoid misrepresentation of your abilities.
Tip 4	Provide examples of challenges you’ve faced and problems you’ve solved. Emphasize the positive and mention any specific achievements.
Tip 5	Make your résumé easy to read. Use a clear font that is not too small or too large. Proofread your résumé several times and have others review it.

A cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself. You should almost always include a cover letter with your résumé when you apply for a job. Cover letters vary in style and content more than résumés, but there are certain guidelines you should follow. Use the Letter Builder tool to prepare your cover letter, and use examples to help you get started.

Tip 1	Your cover letter should be typed, addressed to a specific individual or department, and closed with your signature.
Tip 2	Your cover letter can convey some of your personality. Think of how you would introduce and talk about yourself to an employer in person and then transfer that to the letter.
Tip 3	Don’t repeat details provided in your résumé. Do include why you’re interested in the job and mention your skills and experiences that match the job requirements the most.
Tip 4	Customize your letter to the specific job and employer. Use keywords from the job description and mention the employer specifically.
Tip 5	Keep it brief. Your letter should be less than one page, and don’t forget to proofread!

Here are some tips about other documents employers often want.

Tip 1	Where to Network Network through school and professional organizations, volunteer and extracurricular activities, and family and personal friendships. Anyone you meet could be a great resource. Don’t forget to network on social media.
Tip 2	Research Your Network Research the companies or organizations of people in your network. Know what they do so you can ask them why they do it. Knowing a little about a person will help you talk to them and develop your relationship.
Tip 3	Be Visible Don’t blend into the background. Make sure you talk with others and speak up in groups at events and meetings. You might be nervous talking to people you don’t know, but practice makes perfect. Think of questions you can ask someone to get a conversation started.

Know when and how to use social networks.
Social networking, the right way, can increase your exposure to career opportunities. Currently, LinkedIn is the most popular professional networking site and can be a great resource. There are other more popular social networking sites, but keep in mind that company recruiters and human resource managers use the internet to research applicants. Many candidates have been rejected due to information the hiring manager found on social sites. Remember to keep your online image appropriate to the job you want to have.

Tip 1	Follow companies and professional groups that are related to the career(s) you’re interested in.
Tip 2	Use social media to connect with people you know in the profession.
Tip 3	Connect with everyone you know—friends, family, teachers, coaches, religious and group leaders—and ask them to keep an eye out for jobs and career opportunities.
Tip 4	Update your profile regularly with relevant industry and job-related information. Interact with individuals in your circle by engaging in group discussions and message boards. Post links to news and articles relevant to your career field.
Tip 5	Remember to keep your online image appropriate. Nothing online is ever completely private, so don’t post something that may prevent you from getting a job in the future. Keep in mind that your friends’ posts about you may affect your image. If possible, set up your accounts so that you must approve being tagged in posts.

Each employer will have different application requirements and different ways they want you to submit your application.

• If you’re applying online, submit your documents based on the employer’s instructions. Upload electronic documents in PDF format unless the employer requests a different format.

• If you’re applying in person, dress professionally. Ask to speak with the hiring manager so that you can introduce yourself, even if you’re just dropping off an application. (See Step 2 for more information on contacting employers.)

• If you’re emailing your application materials, make sure to mention the job you’re applying for in the subject line and the body of the email. Write the email like a letter, introducing yourself and concluding the email with your full name.

• If you’re not sure of the best way to apply, contact the employer and ask. Submitting your application materials the correct and/or preferred way is very important.

Your work isn’t finished after you send your application. It’s helpful to follow up with the employer about a week after you apply. When you do follow up, keep it short. Say who you are and briefly mention your interest in the position and why you think you’d be a good fit for the job. Don’t forget to check your spam folder for emails from the employer.

Step 1	Give each interviewer hard copies of your application materials along with any other materials that show your qualifications (including letters of recommendation).
Step 2	Prepare answers to common interview questions prior to the interview. Many websites, including this one, list the most common questions and give tips for what you should say. Your answers should always tie you to the job and highlight your skills.
Step 3	Learn as much as you can about the employer by talking to people in your network, looking at the company website, and searching for news articles. Bring up a few things that you learned as you talk about your experiences and ask questions.
Step 4	Prepare a list of detailed questions you would like to ask. Asking questions shows that you’re interested in the job and gives you important information about it. Don’t ask about salary or pay unless the employer brings it up.
Step 5	Make sure you have accurate directions to the interview location, and keep the business’s phone number with you in case you need to call them on the way. Show up early (no more than 20 minutes but no less than 5), dressed appropriately.

Nearly every job you apply for will require references. Here are some things to keep in mind:

	Don’t include references on your résumé or cover letter. Instead, give the employer your references when they ask for them or if it’s required as part of an online/paper application form.
	Always contact your references before you give their information to an employer.
	Only provide personal references if the employer asks for them specifically.
	Only provide references that know about your qualifications and will speak highly of you.
	References are typically contacted by phone, but you can also give the employer letters of recommendation.

Hopefully you’ll be feeling more comfortable and less anxious since you’ve prepared for your interview. Enter the interview with active confidence. What this means is that you’re not too confident, you’re actively listening to the interviewers, and you’re asking questions, not just answering them!

Tip 1	Talk about how your experience makes you a good person for the job. Give specific examples of times when you were successful. Use work-related examples, although you can talk about non-work experiences occasionally or if you don’t have work experience.
Tip 2	Ask questions throughout the interview (including any you prepared beforehand). Take a notebook and write down interviewer names and the answers to your questions.
Tip 3	Display your best external qualities—maintain eye contact, sit up straight, and use the names of the interviewers throughout the interview.
Tip 4	Make sure to talk about your best internal qualities—mention positive experiences when working in teams, leading groups, adapting to changing environments, staying motivated, and paying attention to detail.
Tip 5	Use your common sense to determine the best times to ask questions and talk about what you know about the employer.

• Send a note to each person who interviewed you.

• Send your note, whether hand-written or as an email, within 24 hours of your interview.

• Include any topics that you may have forgotten to discuss.

• Provide any information the employer asked for in the interview.

• Briefly remind the employer of the high points of the interview.

• Thank the employer for his/her time and consideration and invite the employer to contact you with additional questions or to schedule another meeting.

Here are examples of things to consider when deciding whether or not to negotiate a job offer.

• Is the wage you were offered what you were expecting?

• Is the wage similar to what other people are making in the same job and with the same experience?

• Is there room to negotiate on wage?

• Do other benefits included in the offer balance out a lower wage?

• Is the employer offering any other benefits, such as health insurance, flexible working hours, retirement matching, paid sick leave, extra vacation time, or telecommuting?

• What are the details of other benefits being offered? For example, how much will you have to contribute to health insurance or a retirement plan?

• Are the benefits available to you right away or only after an initial probationary period?

• Are there other benefits you’d be interested in asking about?

• Know your needs and expectations before you begin negotiating.

• Be ready to justify what you’re asking for and make sure your reasons are strong and based on your qualifications not just your needs.

• Take time to think about the job offer. Ask the employer if you can have a day or two to think about it if you need to.

• Be prepared to compromise some on what you want. For example, if the wage isn’t what you want, can you negotiate the benefits so that the offer would be better for you?

• Always consider all of the positives of the job offer, even if the wage isn’t what you wanted. (For example, opportunities to be promoted, extra vacation time, or bonuses.)