Job searches take an average of 6 months, but you can start preparing for a job as soon as you start at NAU.

Tips

• Assess your needs and interests. This includes city, state, full-time vs. part-time, size of organization, acceptable salary ranges, and any other important considerations. Remember that the more flexible you are, the more options you might have.
• Assess your skills, talents and abilities. Participate in self-assessment exercises. Apply for jobs that you are qualified for.
• Participate in an internship, volunteer work or other experiential learning. Many times internships lead to full-time work. It’s important to gain experience in your field before you graduate from university.
• Join a professional organization. Sometimes jobs are not even open to the public until after they have been posted for members of a professional organization. Find a mentor in the organization who can give you tips about preparing yourself with appropriate skills, finding job openings, and applying for jobs within your field. Go to professional organizational meetings, meet members, develop a good reputation, and when you are talking to members, mention your job search and ask about resources.
• Participate in Gateway Student Success Center Workshops and Classes. We offer a 1-unit mini-course on Career Preparation in which you’ll work on your resume, cover letters, interviewing skills and job search strategies. We also offer resume development & cover letter, interviewing skills and job search strategy workshops.
• Participate in Mock Interviews. Build your interviewing skills by participating in a realistic interview for a real job. Do your practice here at NAU and not with an employer you hope will hire you.
• Set up a Job Shadowing experience. Use Gateway Connects Online Recruiting System or your contacts to find a professional, an individual you can ask for a Job Shadowing experience. Ask if you can just observe what s/he does during an entire day. Try for a typical workday. Send a professional looking thank you card afterwards.
• Go to Informational Presentations. Some employers have on-campus informational sessions. Be professional when you attend so that you can make a good impression with the company representative. Find out relevant information for your job search. Be sure to attend or to let the representative know that you are very interested and the legitimate reason why you can’t attend if you plan on seeking employment with that company.
• Attend Career & Graduate School Fairs. When you are not looking for a job, attend a Fair. Dress professionally, meet recruiters and make a good impression. Build relationships with the recruiters so that when you are ready for your job search, you are familiar with the Fair and potentially familiar with some of the recruiters in your field. When you are ready for your job search, make the most of your Fair opportunity by researching the organizations you are interested in and working on your networking skills before you attend.
• Look for job openings through Gateway Connects Online Recruiting System . Conduct an Employer Search and Job Posting Search. Start broad by using one category such as “major” as a qualifier in your search.
• Look for job openings using traditional resources. Check out local newspapers, phone books, and the internet.
• Look at Chamber of Commerce websites. Check for companies/organizations you’re interested in and then search for the company/organization’s website for openings.
• Network. Ask your friends and family, former employers, NAU staff, faculty, and administrators for job leads. Let them know about your skills and interests. Share copies of your resume.

Once you’ve found a position you’re interested in, go to the following pages on the Gateway Student Success Center website for additional guidance:

• Resume Writing
• Cover Letters
• Interviewing
• Developing Skills That Employers Seek
• Tips for Applying for a Job Online
• Trends in Industry

Don’t take a chance! Make an appointment with a trained Career & Academic Advisor for individualized assistance with Job Search Strategies: e-mail or call (928) 523-4772. This is a free service available to all currently enrolled NAU students.