The middle of Spring semester is when the job search season swings into high gear. We’re in national conference season now, which along with all the great networking and workshops, brings attention to the job search for the upcoming academic year. From graduating graduate students to SSAOs, a key task in career development is reflection to define your next steps.

Find that match. Photo by ejorpin

What are my immediate goals? Defining your career goals sets the stage for sharing information with potential employers. Consider your current and past roles. What kind of job are you seeking?

What do you see yourself doing 5 or 10 years from now? How do your job search activities now lay the foundation for your future success? How do your career goals meet employer needs?

How does my background match the employer’s requirements? A resume is a document designed to convince an employer to grant you an interview. Your ability to tell your story in a way that matches the employer’s requirements is critical for success. What parts of your background match what the employer is seeking?

Am I customizing my resume to be relevant to each employer? Different colleges have different needs. Your task is to identify those needs and address them in your resume. Research the organization via their website, mission statement, annual report, and/or any media coverage. Determine how your background meets their needs. This is a fundamental task in order to reach the interview stage. This may require a different resume for each employer. What are the university-specific needs?

Am I ready to receive communication from an employer about the open position? Have I checked my voicemail greeting recently? Do I have forwarding activated on my job search e-mail account? Is my interviewing wardrobe cleaned and pressed? Am I ready to discuss the position with the employer at a moment’s notice?

What kind of preparation did you do for your last job search? What methods do you use to filter through job listings?

Suzanne Wall is the Director of Career Services at Albertus Magnus College.