BUILD CONNECTIONS
Although it is important to have a professional resume and a presence on LinkedIn and Handshake, connecting with people is the most important factor in securing a job. People hire people, so always remember to put your best foot forward when building new connections. You never know who might be able to connect you with your dream job!
RESEARCH THE ORGANIZATION'S CULTURE
Company culture is the personality of the company. An organization’s culture includes the values and beliefs that are important to people in that organization. Components that influence and impact an organization’s culture include:
- Relationships
- Communication
- Job satisfaction
- Benefits (see How to Negotiate Salary and Benefits for more information)
- Opportunities for Growth, etc.
Spending time on the organization’s website, reading news about them, following their social media pages, and even looking at customer reviews can help you gain insight about their culture. How the organization responds in the public eye can tell you a lot about the work environment.
You could also schedule an informational interview with someone who works in the industry to learn more about their organization’s culture. For more information on informational interviews, see the section on informational interviews.
To learn more about an organization in Handshake, follow these three easy steps:
1. Click on the EMPLOYERS tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
2. In the SEARCH bar, type in the organization you would like to learn more about.
3. Click on the REVIEWS tab to see reviews of the organization.
INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
Interviewing professionals can help you explore your industry of interest, develop connections with contacts who work in the field, and help you determine your career readiness. The primary goal is to learn more about your career of interest. This is career research, so never go into an informational interview with the expectation of a job offer.
What is an informational interview?
An informational interview is a brief, informal meeting where you ask questions to help you:
- learn more about a career, industry, or field you are interested in
- decide which career, industry, or field to pursue
- get advice and insights from someone with experience in your field of interest
- build your network
Informational interviews are your opportunity to connect with a professional in your field of interest to gain insights into the field itself, learn about their pathway to success, and network! For detailed information on informational interviews, see our Job Search Tips document.
NEED MORE HELP?
Tips:
- If you start by uploading your resume, Handshake will use the information to auto-fill your profile!
- Handshake and LinkedIn profiles are very similar, so you can save time if you copy and paste the information between the two.
Need more info? See Getting Started with Handshake, stop by the Center for Career & Professional Development at Glendenning Hall 210, email us at careercenter@smcm.edu, or call us at (240)-895-4203.
JOB BOARDS
Handshake
Handshake is the number one way college students get hired. It is an online recruiting platform that allows students to connect with employers, discover jobs and internships, and find career fairs and employer events. To begin using Handshake, go to smcm.joinhandshake.com and log in using your SMCM email and password, or scan the QR code below to download the app.
To get the most out of your Handshake profile, add relevant and important details about you and your career interests. A completed profile shows a full picture of you as a student/alum and professional. A completed profile includes your skills, work experience, graduation date, organizations you participate in, and career interests. 80% of students who share their interests receive a message from a recruiter on Handshake.
Additionally, you should upload your resume and use a professional photo for your profile picture.
USAJobs
USAJobs is the central U.S. Government job posting platform that allows you to find and apply for federal jobs at U.S. government agencies around the world.
Create a USAJobs account and profile to access their wide variety of jobs. Your profile will help you customize and streamline your federal job search. You can also set USAJobs to send you notifications about jobs you may be interested in. To create an account, click here.
For more information on beginning your job search and preparing your application, visit the USAJobs Help Center article How does the application process work?
Indeed
Indeed is a popular job search website. The platform hosts thousands of job postings, with options for refining your search by salary, industry, job title, experience level, and more! You can also turn on notifications to be updated when new jobs are posted. Indeed also has a wide selection of articles on career advice/development, interview preparation, job searching, and much more. To browse the full list of Indeed’s articles, click here.
LOCAL & STATE RESOURCES
St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce
The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit association of businesses working together to create a thriving economy for St. Mary’s County and Southern Maryland. They make industrial investments, support education at all levels, promote tourism, and strive to create more jobs for St. Mary’s County and Southern Maryland.
Their website is a great place to view job postings in the county. Click here to search their job postings. A great way to network with Chamber members is to attend one of their events!
Maryland Workforce Exchange
The Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) is a virtual web-based system where you can find jobs, labor market information, and do career research.The site has more than 16,000 job listings throughout the state of Maryland. The platform also offers help with creating resumes, has information about education or training programs, and offers financial assistance. You can also search regional labor market information, such as salaries. You can use the email/message center to contact employers.
For help from their local office, visit Southern MD JobSource at 21795-F N. Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653 or call them at 301-844-6404.
Click here for more information about the Maryland Workforce Exchange.
EMPLOYER WEBSITES
Employer websites are a great place to start if you want to learn whether the employer could be a good fit for you.
If you are interested in a specific employer, going directly to their website is a great job search method. On many employer sites you can find and apply for a variety of positions, from part-time to management positions. Jobs are typically listed under one of the following sections: Careers, Jobs, Human Resources, or About Us.
LinkedIn is a business and employment focused social networking site that allows you to connect with friends, family, professors, employers, and alumni as professional contacts. You can use LinkedIn to find jobs and internships, build connections, and further professional relationships.
Creating a LinkedIn profile can help you access job opportunities by showcasing your unique professional goals, aspirations, and journey through experience, skills, and education. Click here to learn more about creating a free account to get started. To make the most of your profile, use the Quick Reference Guide to ensure all required sections are completed.
LinkedIn also has a job search tool to help you find relevant opportunities that match your skills and qualifications. You can search for a job using the search field at the top of the LinkedIn page, or you can directly access the Jobs page here.
The SMCM Alumni Tool is a great way to connect with students who have similar education or professional interests as you. Reaching out to a St. Mary’s College alumni for an informational interview is a great way to get advice about career options and learn more about industries you are interested in.
MICRO INTERNSHIPS
Micro internships are short-term, project based, professional assignments that provide you with the opportunity to develop skills in a specific industry, explore career options, and build connections. Micro internships can take place year-round and may range from 5 to 40 hours of work. Projects are typically due between one week to one month after your start date.
St. Mary’s College of Maryland micro internships are hosted through Parker Dewey and Forage.
Meet our Internship Coordinator, Meredith Weiers.
Taylor is enthusiastic about connecting students and employers for internship opportunities, and serves as the first point of contact for internship information. Contact her at internships@smcm.edu or schedule an appointment.
For more help with your job search, you can stop by the Center for Career & Professional Development or make and appointment for 1:1 coaching and help. The Center for Career & Professional Development offers a variety of resources for those searching for jobs or internships. For help with resumes, cover letters, or other professional document advice, you can meet with a Career Mentor during walk in hours to get help. You can also schedule 1:1 appointments with our staff on the Center for Career & Professional Development website for more information on internships, resume review, and other professional development.
