Finding an Opportunity

• Network and make connections. Often finding your dream internship or job comes down to building relationships. Maximize the connections and relationships you already have but make an effort to expand your network through professional organization meetings and informational interviews.
• Check out university career development centers. Often these are open to the public and many of them have detailed websites with valuable resources.
• Discuss opportunities with professors and academic advisors. These professionals have spent years working in their disciplines, have many contacts and know many programs.
• Attend university career fairs. Career fairs are a great opportunity to learn about companies and organizations, gather information about specific internships and jobs, and expand your professional network. Best of all, they come to you and are usually free.
• Register with online job and internship search engines. These provide specific perimeters you create to search for a job or internship. Search by location, majors, length of internships and paid or unpaid.
• Understand the skills you gain in school. Creative thinking, leadership, teamwork and many other skills can be used in a variety of career fields. Visit Hamline University’s “What Can I Do With This Major” resource or visit O*NET OnLine to search for occupations that use your skills.

Applying and Interviewing

• Update your cover letter and resume. Send both items every time you apply for a job.
• Address your cover letter and resume to a specific person. If the application does not list who to address it to, call Human Resources and ask them to whom you can address these items.
• Research employers and know how your skills match what they need.
• Know the pay of positions. Check out Salarysurvey.com for occupations and salaries to be prepared for the final stages of the job search.
• Practice interviewing. Grab a friend and answer mock-interview questions or ask a staff member at your college's career center to practice; it is a good way to develop concise answers, practice eye contact, and know your typical body movements and behaviors.

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