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Before you start your job search
Ask yourself these questions:
- How do I know if I should make a job change? If you like your present job but are unhappy with some aspect of it, consider talking to your supervisor or your organization's Human Resources Department about solutions that could fix the problem. If there’s no solution, it may be time to change jobs.
- What kind of job am I interested in? Do I need an entry-level position? A parallel position? An upward move? What are my priorities? Flexible hours? Higher pay? Working closer to home?
- How do I prepare for a job search? Have I updated my career documents? Created an appealing online presence? Learned how to search for jobs online? Prepared for interviews?
First Step: Create Your Career Documents
- Create a resume. Create a professional resume, utilizing the FUNCTIONAL RESUME template created by the Career Services team at Baker College.
- Write a cover letter. Create a cover letter for a specific job posting you would like to apply for.
- Compile a reference list. Contact three to five supervisors, instructors, or co-workers to ask if you can include them on a professional reference list. (See Creating Your Reference List)
Second Step: Use Networking and Online Resources for Your Job Search
- Research who is in your current “network.” List the current network of people you know in the workforce: immediate family, extended family, friends, neighbors, and fellow students. Let them know your career goals and ask questions about their companies, especially if they work in the same field.
- Handshake Develop your Handshake profile to attract employers. (See Handshake Login and Benefits)
- LinkedIn Develop your LinkedIn profile to attract employers and recruiters. (See Making LinkedIn Work for You)
Third Step: Decide Which Jobs to Apply For
- Decide the distance you’re willing to commute or if you might be happy with a remote or hybrid position.
- Research each company carefully. Look at their website, LinkedIn page, other social media pages, and news articles, if available.
- Consider your education and experience. Do you meet the basic requirements listed in the job posting? If your profile is not an exact match, don’t disqualify yourself. Let them decide. Just because you may be missing a skill listed as “preferred” or only have a “related degree” or “related experience” does not mean you can't be an excellent fit for that company.
- Be sure to revise your cover letter and resume when needed to target the requirements in a specific job posting. Submitting a generic-sounding resume or cover letter won’t motivate the employer to call you for an interview.
Fourth Step: Prepare for Interviews
- Complete a mock interview with a friend, classmate, family member, or trusted colleague.
- Think of your top five or six transferable soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, organization); write down stories you could tell in an interview showing these skills in action. (See Interviewing With the STAR Technique)
- Always practice answering interview questions aloud. Interviewing is a verbal skill.
Follow Up: Contact Each Employer After Applying or Interviewing
- Applications: Follow up approximately one week after applying to a business by sending an email. Ask about the progress of your application and express continued interest in the job.
- Interviews: Follow up with a thank-you email within 24 hours after completing an interview. Follow up with a note of inquiry one week after completing the interview, expressing continued interest in the job.
Final Advice: Be Ready to Discuss Salary Expectations
When employers bring up the topic of your salary expectations, be ready. You may be asked for your salary expectations on an application form, in an interview, or when the employer offers a job. (See Discussing Your Salary Expectations With Confidence)
- Research the average compensation for the role, and consider your experience level and region (See Bureau of Labor and Statistics).
- Know the average amount per hour (ex. $30,000/year divided by 52 weeks divided by 40 hrs.=$15/hr.)
- Know the average amount per year (ex. $15/hr. x 40 hrs./week x 52 weeks in a year=$30,000.)
- Decide the minimum pay rate that you would accept. For example, if the minimum you would accept is $40,000, you shouldn’t just settle for the minimum. State a range starting a little above $40,000. You could say, “I would like to earn $45,000 to $50,000.” In higher pay ranges, you may want to state larger differences. If your acceptable minimum is $70,000, you could say, “I would like to earn $80,000 to $90,000.”
Revised 13 August 2025