Job search strategies
NAU Career Development recommends a multi-faceted approach to your job search.
Direct organization search
Do you know what companies or organizations you might want to work for? Many employers will post their job openings directly on their website under links called “employment,” “careers,” or “jobs.”
Career fairs
NAU offers career fairs throughout the year where candidates can meet directly with employers. Career fairs are also offered through other sponsors.
On-campus recruitment
Apply for professional jobs and internships through Handshake. Many companies conduct interviews right on campus. Others may visit campus outside of Career fairs to get to know candidates better. Visit the Events area in Handshake to learn more.
Job search engines
You can find general job search websites, as well as sites specific to high education, non-profits, and veterans, on the NAU Career Development Pinterest site. Indeed.com or LinkedIn.com are excellent places to start a general search, as is Idealist.org for positions in the non-profit sector. Of course, NAU’s own search engine, Handshake, is an excellent resource as well!
Most well-established industries have an industry specific web site with relevant job postings. At times, hiring organizations are more likely to post their open positions on these types of sites as opposed to a large search engine, in order to attract only the most interested candidates. Many of these search engines are included in What Can I Do With This Major? in the bottom right section of each major page.
Networking
Making contact with prospective employers through membership in groups, clubs and organizations is a great way to get to know people who make hiring decisions. NAU has many pre-professional student groups, and you can find professional associations to join in What Can I Do With This Major? in the bottom left section of each major page.
Online networking
Online resources such as LinkedIn provide a way to professionally network with a large group of people. Sites such as Facebook may be used to maintain your social network but generally are not used for professional networking. Check out this resource that can help you manage your online reputation, especially in regards to social media profiles. You can find great tools for social media networking on the NAU Career Development Pinterest site.
Learn more
For more in-depth information, explore the following Career Steps online lessons:
Job search strategies: Preparing for a job search