Job Search Process

Set your goal

Your job search will be much more effective if you have a goal. If you are not sure what kind of position you want, contact the CDC and talk to one of our trained professionals.

The open and the hidden job market

There are two parts to the job market--the open job market and the hidden job market. The open job market consists of those jobs that are advertised and open to the public; the hidden job market consists of unadvertised opportunities. The majority of jobs are found in the hidden job market; only about 20 percent of positions are advertised. Networking is generally the best way to access the hidden job market.

Use Razorback CareerLink

Razorback CareerLink (RCL) is the UA's online electronic job management system that allows students and alumni to search for and apply to part-time, full-time jobs, internships and co-op positions. Employers use RCL to specifically search for and potentially hire U of A students and alumni.

To begin using the system, login at careerlink.uark.edu, enter your UA username and password. In order to begin searching for positions, be sure to update your profile and upload a resume. For more instructions on using the system please go to: http://career.uark.edu/template/RCL/ or call our office at (479) 575-2806; or email recruit@uark.edu

Consider using Resume Books to enhance your job search. A resume book is another job search tool that enables active job seekers to circulate their resumes within Razorback CareerLink to potential employers. By including your resume in a Resume Book, you are allowing interested employers to view your resume and contact you directly about jobs openings, information sessions, or interviews.

Employers sign up for Resume Book access and then manage each Resume Book online. They can view and download resumes, sort candidate lists by major, class level, applicant type and even do resume keyword searches. This helps them identify candidates for follow-up.

Click here for instructions on How to View Resume Books and Submit Your Resume

Attend job fairs

Job fairs are held at the beginning of the fall and spring semester. Spruce up your resume, dress professionally and attend the job fairs. Click here for dates of job fairs and lists of participating companies and organizations.

Use Job Links on our website

Use the Job Links on the CDC website for job websites for a variety of different majors.

Use Job Listings

Job advertisements are found in newspapers, professional organizations, journals and websites, company and organization websites, internet job banks, and other job websites.

Post Your Resume Online

Post your resume on-line with company websites, professional organizations in your field, and other on-line services.

Targeted Specific Organizations and Companies

Research and identify the top 10 -15 organizations you'd like to work for. Then, develop a tailored cover letter, locate the appropriate contact person, and mail your resume and cover letter to each organization on the list.

Use Chamber of Commerce Listings

Many cities and towns in the United States have a chamber of commerce with a directory of local businesses where they list job listings, most of which can be found online.

Consider Federal Jobs

The federal government is the largest employer in the United States, employing more than 2.6 million people. The federal government employs a wide variety of different majors ranging from art restoration to law enforcement to biology. Many federal agencies are scrambling to find new workers (the average federal employee is 46 years of age and two of every five are eligible to retire). Go to the main federal job website to see over 25,000 federal jobs listed. http://www.usajobs.gov/

Networking - The Most Effective Method

Internships and co-ops are excellent networking opportunities and can lead to a permanent position. Join professional organizations and get involved in volunteer activities. Go to this website for more networking information. http://www.enetsc.com/JobSearchTips14.htm

How to Prepare for a Networking Event

• Obtain the list of which persons/corporations have agreed to attend.
• Identify which persons/corporations are good contacts for your career development.
• Write down their name and title within the corporation. Identify any connections.
• Research each individual corporation of interest to you and the industry in which it competes.

• In what type of industry is this company? In what part of the market does it compete?
• Who are the major competitors? How does the company rank with the major competitors?
• What makes this company distinct from other players in the field?
• What is the latest news about this industry in the stock market/news this week?

• Is the employer publically or privately held?
• Is it a local, national, or international firm?
• Is it a subsidiary or a division of a larger corporation?
• When was it founded? How has it been growing in the last three years?
• What are its services or products?
• Size of the employer (employees, sales, assets, earnings, profit margin.)
• What are typical entry level positions with this employer?
• What is the latest news of this employer this week?
• Know why this corporation is of interest to you personally.

• Write three questions about the company that demonstrate your interest in working there
• Know your skills and prepare your 30 second sell
• Anticipate the questions they may ask you about your fields of concentration and practice them out loud
• Determine dress standards for this company or event and decide what to wear.

• Extra copies of your resume, a pen and padfolio with notes from your research.
• A checklist of the names and titles of the contacts you want to make at the event.

• Always maintain a professional manner, whether that is talking with other students to waiting in the buffet line. There may be young alumni there who you may know from class or student organization. Just remember they are representing an employer and employ your best professional skills.
• Make good use of your time and seek out those individuals you want to meet.
• If the employer representative is engaged in conversation, wait nearby until he or she is finished.
• Greet the representative with a firm handshake, smile and look them in the eye
• Be prepared for some small talk. It demonstrates your social skills.
• Be prepared to initiate the conversation.
• Be honest and to the point. Don't ramble. Do not monopolize their time.
• Show your interest by asking questions about the company or the individual person.
• Be sure to get the business card of everyone you talk to. Be sure to write down key points of reference on the back of their card after you have finished talking with them.

• Send thank you emails to everyone you talked to. Be sure to use the notes you wrote on the back of their business cards as a reference.
• Find them on LinkedIn and request they become one of your contacts.

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