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Career Planning: Choose Your Path

Seeking Employment

Look at the Big Picture

Video: Looking for a job? Highlight your ability, not your experience 

Very few of us hold jobs that line up directly with our past experiences or what we studied in college. Take TED Resident Jason Shen; he studied biology but later became a product manager at a tech company. In this quick, insightful talk about human potential, Shen shares some new thinking on how job seekers can make themselves more attractive -- and why employers should look for ability over credentials.

Reliable Job Search Sites

Finding Legitimate Job Postings

An online job board (or job site) is a valuable resource for employers and job seekers. Employers who need to grow their team can post and advertise their open positions, and job seekers can search, find, and apply to jobs with ease. Traditional job boards were physical boards where job listings were posted and advertised, but today the majority of jobs are posted to online websites. Since job sites are faster and simpler to use, job sites have effectively replaced physical job boards over the past decade.

Most employers prefer job sites because they can help save time and resources and make it simple to create listings that reach a large number of people fast. Job seekers prefer job sites because they can apply to more jobs in less time and with less effort, and search and apply for jobs located in cities throughout the country. Today, thousands of job sites exist, and more are created each day to help connect people to the right opportunities. Job sites can include listings for all types of jobs in every industry, or they can be industry-specific and designed to provide job content to a niche group of job seekers.

Source: ZipRecruiter

Before you decide which job search website is best for you, learn about the available options and compare the top-rated online utilities for finding employment. Is that job ad riddled with spelling and grammatical errors? Does it ask for your social security number? Steer clear. 

Articles Related to Job Search Sites

Best Job Search Sites from U.S. News and World Reports

6 Best Job Search Sites from Money magazine

How To Find Legitimate Work-From-Home Jobs from Clark Howard 

Links for Job Search Sites

Employment Opportunities - DSC online job board that maintains contact with employers on a daily basis and average around 100 internship and employment opportunities available to students and alumni.

Indeed - Meta-search engine that searches various job sites, newspapers, associations and company career pages.

LinkUp - Find and apply to job openings found directly on company websites.

Monster - The world's largest resume database and online job search.

SimplyHired - Search over 5 million job listings and thousands of jobs sites to find a job you love.

Videos Related to the Job Search

Watch videos in this playlist from GCF LearnFree that provide valuable information related to the job search process. 

Where To Find Contacts In The Field

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Being a member of a professional association and attending conferences can be a unique opportunity to learn from experts, collaborate with peers, and share ideas with a wider audience. 

A professional organization, sometimes referred to as a professional association or professional body, exists to advance a particular profession, support the interests of people working in that profession and serve the public good. It facilitates innovation, communication and connection. A professional organization typically requires member dues, has an elected leadership body and includes a range of subcommittees or functional areas. Professional organizations can be both national or international, and often have close ties to colleges and universities with degree programs in that field.

With the right approach, people networking can provide the opportunity to build mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals in your industry. Once you’ve established a solid professional network, you’ll be the first to know about job opportunities in your field and front of mind for anyone in your network who is seeking to hire someone with your skills and experience.

Learn more about both on the tabs above. 

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Professional and trade organizations offer development and connections with others in your field and enhance your business profile. Having an industry association on your resume says you are very committed to your profession and actively participating in its advancement.

  1. Professional Development - Membership-based organizations provide members access to training, research material, and industry insights to help you grow and learn about emerging trends in your industry and field.
  2. Networking Opportunities -  Whether you are looking to pursue employment opportunities, connect with other industry professionals, or even looking for a mentor within your profession, the networking opportunities are invaluable.
  3. Exclusive Online Resources - With a membership to a professional association, you will have exclusive access to journals, articles, webinars, infographics, and message boards to add value to your professional growth and development.
  4. Conferences - Yearly events and conferences are a great way to get to know your fellow members. The more involved with an association you are, the more it will benefit your professional growth. 
  5. Education - Events and conferences are great opportunities for education, but some associations provide members more personal opportunities with workshops, seminars, and online courses.

Benefits of joining Professional Associations/Organizations

There are benefits to joining professional associations/organizations. Choosing is one step towards the right direction. Professional associations/organizations should be chosen based on your major, field of study, personal and professional interests, and your career aspirations. Keep an open mind and research what the associations/organizations have to offer. Most of the time, there are fees associated with memberships. In some cases, there are discounted membership fees for students and recent graduates. Be sure to verify that association/organization. We recommend that you consider 2-3 professional associations/organizations.

Below are some benefits to joining professional associations/organizations:

  • Personal and Professional Development
  • Networking
  • Career and Internship Opportunities
  • Mentorship Opportunities
  • Access to Resources
  • Continuing Education and Certification opportunities
  • Career Expos and Conferences

.To learn more, visit this article from Indeed.com - What is a Professional Organization?

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Benefits of Networking

Networking is the most powerful and effective tool for college students and professionals. Networking enhances communication among individuals within your desired field of study and career. It provides an opportunity for mentorships and opens doors for career opportunities. Networking should begin while completing your studies as a student. Avoid making the mistake of restricting your ability to network to only those on your campus or in your circle of friends. Keep your eyes open for opportunities at social events, campus, and community events and among your faculty and staff on your campus. Networking among leaders and peers in your industry will present opportunities for first-hand information about industry best practices and updates. To learn more, read Top 12 Benefits of Professional Networking and How to Get Started. 

Additional benefits to Networking:

  • Access to job opportunities
  • Strengthens connections with sharing information
  • Sharing of resources and ideas
  • Opportunities to gain career advice and support
  • Development of relationships
  • Investment Opportunities

Networking Resources