Tips on how to move your job or internship search forward

There is always more that you can do to make your job or internship search more effective. Below are three things that can help move your search along:

By: Brooke Buffington, Senior Associate Director of Corporate and Employer   Relations, School of Business

I’ve been a career adviser within higher education for over 10 years and I cannot begin to count the number of times that a student has said to me:

“I’ve applied to over 100 internships and have nowhere else to look.”

“I’ve done everything that I can for my job search.”

The first thing that you need to know is that there is always more that you can do to make your job or internship search more effective. Below are three things that can help move your search along:

Quality applications over quantity applications: Sending in 100 of the same resume to general job posting sites will only get you so far. Sending in 25 position specific resumes directly to company websites should get you much further.

Tell everyone that you’re looking: Companies are always seeking great people. Your friends, family and their friends work for a variety of different potential future employers. The more people who know that you’re looking for a job or internship, the more likely that they’ll be able to help you with your search.

Widen your net: Think outside of the box when it comes to the employers that you’re considering. If you’re interested in working for a professional sports team, then why not a company that makes athletic equipment? If you’d like to work for an advertising firm, then why not corporate marketing? A small net equals limited opportunity, widen the net and more jobs and internships will become available.

The most important thing to remember is that future employers are looking for applicants who are willing to work hard to get the job. Put in the extra effort and you should reap the results.