Student Job Link's Resources

The economy isn’t in a good spot right now, and that means that the job market isn’t either.  Now more than ever, it is incredibly important that you keep you network of business contacts current and up to date.  If you already have a good job, then be aware that it may not last and prepare for that eventuality.  If you are looking for a job, then you’re going to run into a whole different set of problems.

The problem with finding a job in this market is that for every position that is listed, there are going to be a lot more candidates applying.  That means that there are more people who may be better qualified than you or who may impress the employer more than you will.  What you need is an ace up your sleeve. 

That’s where the network comes in.  If you know somebody, you have a much better chance of getting a job.  So how do you cultivate these contacts and keep them current?  If you are a college student or a recent graduate, a great place to start is with your professors or anybody you worked with during an internship.  These are people who have spent a lot of time in the industry and have developed a lot of contacts of their own.  

A lot of professors like to help out their students whenever possible, so make sure to get email and contact information before you graduate.  If you’ve already graduated, then stop back in and say hello.  This way you’ll get a few minutes to talk about your job prospects (the professor will invariably ask, “So what are you doing now?”), and the fact that you took time to visit them will make them want to help you.

One final word:  networking works both ways.  Be sure to help other people when you can.  It’s the right thing to do and you never know when it will help you further down the line.

More resources:
•    Reconnecting with old contacts
•    Building a Network of Contacts