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Job Search Plan

Ideally, you will want to begin your job search plan as early as your junior year (undergraduates) or your first semester of your graduate program.  Remember, a plan is merely putting together a plan of action – so when you are ready to actively pursue employment opportunities, you are ready to hit the ground running versus just starting to think about all of the pieces that go into a successful job search.  Never lose sight of your primary goal – TO FIND A CAREER (not just a job!).

Here is a very brief outline of what a successful Job Search Plan entails:

Step 1: The Plan

Here is where you determine the type of career/job you want, decide whether you are willing to relocate for that perfect job, and also outline your job search strategy.  Which of the following job searching tools will you use?
·         On-campus recruiting – are you registered with GSU’s Panther Career Net?  Investigate which organizations are coming to campus and begin to research them.
·         PMAP Jobs & Internship Listserv – make sure you are subscribed to the PMAP listserv where current job opportunities and internships are posted as we receive them.
·         Career Fairs – GSU and various local communities and organizations sponsor job/career fairs.  Go to as many that make sense.
·         Networking – join PMAP Community Network or the PMAP LinkedIn community.  Networking is one of the hidden gems of job-hunting and one of the keys to a successful job search.
·         Direct mail campaign - the traditional method still works, where you identify a number of organizations or employers and send them a targeted cover letter and resume in hopes of obtaining some interviews, or at least referrals.
·         Internet job sites - one of the easiest ways to look for jobs, but also just one of many ways to find opportunities.  Don’t put all of your eggs into just this one basket. 
·         Job postings, classified ads: compared to networking or internet job searches, a small percentage of jobs are ever advertised -- as few as 5% of all jobs!  So while it is important to monitor these job lists, make sure you use other outlets outlined above.

Step 2: Resumes and Cover Letters

If you haven’t already created a resume as part of your search for an internship, this element is critical.  Note:  One resume does not fill all sizes!  You need to target your resume, and you might even need to organize it according to the type of job you are seeking (federal resumes vs. web resumes, etc.).  It is important to know the places you will be applying and the types of resumes they accept.  PMAP will conduct various workshops on resume writing and University Career Services offers free resume critique appointments as well.  Here are a couple of resources to get you started on your own:

·                     NYU Wagner School’s How To Guide on Resume Writing & Cover Letters
·                     USC School of Policy, Planning and Development Resume Guidelines and Cover Letter examples
·                     University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy Resume Writing & Cover Letter Guidelines

Step 3: Interviewing

Oftentimes students feel very confident in their achievements and their work history, however their ability to “sell themselves” or to give specific examples of “how” they have developed or accomplished a particular set of skills gets lost in an interview setting.  Students often find themselves saying “I know I can do the job if they just give me a chance.”  So practice makes perfect.
If you have yet to do so, first consider conducting informational interviews with people in the career fields that interest you.  Informational interviews are, for all intensive purposes, another means to networking.  Contact PAUS alumni, city officials, CEOs, etc. who work in organizations you are considering employment with, and ask to talk to them about their career openings and the types of candidates they are looking to hire in the future.  Ask about skills sets, qualities, and any tips on how to write a resume or cover letter as part of their application process.  You can glean a lot of information out of these informal meetings, and also network your way into that organization. 
Next, GSU’s University Career Services also offers a free service - Virtual Interview Practice System/Interview Stream - that allows you to do mock interviews and to have them critiqued by a professional. 

Step 4: Network, Network, Network

Once you have the tools (resume, interview skills) ready to hit the job market scene, it is critical to make sure others know you are looking for a career/job opportunity.  The PMAP department will host throughout the year various events with employers and alumni who are interested in hiring or mentoring our students, so make sure you take advantage of all of these opportunities. 
Also, attending social events in your local community or through your Chamber of Commerce are other key networking opportunities.  But also think about the other places you meet people at:  the gym, PTA meetings, Little League/Soccer practices, church, etc. – these less obvious places are sometimes the most fruitful because these friends are people who know you and know what you stand for – half the battle when it comes to winning over a new employer. 
Note:  One of the benefits of being a student in the Andrew Young School is this rich history of graduates we have from our programs.  The PMAP department is currently developing an on-line alumni directory which will be made available to current PMAP students during the Spring 2009 semester.

Step 5: Follow-up

Once you have completed an interview or sent out a resume for consideration, it is imperative that as a proactive job searcher, you follow up with each lead, each employer, and each person who referred you on to another person.  Never underestimate the power of an old fashion “thank you” card – handwritten, that thanks the employer for their time and their interest in your candidacy.  And don’t forget to keep asking for the job!  Let them know that you really want the job you interviewed for!
Keep good records of your contacts, and develop a communication plan as to when you will follow up on your direct mailings or your on-line applications.