Steps to a Successful Job & Internship Search

A successful job and internship search involves careful planning, preparation, and execution. Here are the steps to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Review your Application Materials

  • Resume: Your resume is an essential document that serves as a first impression. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences based on the position to which you are applying. If you need help with your resume, view our resume resources.
  • Cover Letter: Craft a customized cover letter for each application, highlighting your qualifications and explaining your interest in the position. If you need help with your cover letter, view our cover letter resources.

Step 2: Professional Networking

  • Many people find their jobs through networking, as it is a great way to learn about possible careers in your field, gain industry specific advice and learn about possible opportunities not listed online.
  • Become familiar with professional associations in your field and practice your elevator speech for when you attend events.
  • Communicate to family and friends you are seeking new opportunities!

Step 3: Informational Interviews

  • Informational interviews provide the opportunity for you to interview someone in a job or working at a company you would like to work for. 
  • Develop a list of the top 25 companies you would like to work for (these do not necessarily need to be entry level positions).
  • Ask how the person got to this point in their career, what advice they may share, and any additional areas they think you should explore or individuals they think you should speak to.

Step 4: Search Online

  • There are many online job boards you can utilize to search. These sites are broken up into location, area, and many general job sites. A few are listed below:
  • CareerConnections is Concordia University, St. Paul’s online job board. 
  • If you’re interested in staying close to home, Minnesota has many job boards to explore including the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits, government job boards and more specific job sites for specific career fields.
  • National job boards: Indeed, Monster and Monster College, CareerBuilder, Simply Hired, and Career Rookie
  • Utilized social media, including LinkedIn, to search for open positions (see the LinkedIn handout for more information).
  • Search company websites. Most organizations have career or employment sections in which you can search for open positions. They may choose to post only to their website and not to all job boards, especially if they have smaller budgets or are short on time.
  • Beware: Not all job search engines are reliable. Make sure position descriptions include dates that are up-to-date, don’t share personal information that may jeopardize your identity. A good way to check if the site is reputable is to see if you know of anyone else who has used the site or run a web search to find reviews of the site.

Step 5: Be Creative with Your Job Search

  • Internships: Just because a position may not be titled “Internship” doesn’t mean it can’t be turned into one. Depending on the type of work and the employer’s preference, a part-time or volunteer opportunity may be able to turn into an internship.
  • Full-Time Jobs: Not all jobs are posted! Sometimes employers have very little time to post an open position to a job board, or even their website. If you’re interested in an organization but they do not have a position posted, reach out to them with a letter of inquiry and a resume. In this letter (very similar to a cover letter) you can state your interest and though there is not a position posted, you have certain experiences and skills you feel would benefit the company. You never know, they may have just the right position waiting for you!