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Preparation

When you are prepared to communicate who you are and your career goal, the Business Career Services office will assist you in creating a job search plan that aligns to your goal. This job search plan will help you organize, prioritize and monitor your efforts. A job search can take as much time and energy as a job! So, let's make sure you have a solid plan in place, one that targets companies you've identified as matching your interests, values and strengths. 

With a plan developed, you can prepare to communicate your brand through your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. Developing these pieces allows you to tailor your communications to the types of industries, organizations, and roles you are targeting. It may seem too early in your journey to identify companies, but we advise that you create your job search plan with an end result in mind.

Remember: Plans change. And they rarely proceed in a straight line. Our career consultants are here to support you in both the creation and the revision of your job search plan. 

Develop your job search plan

A comprehensive job search plan contains:

  • a defined end result (where you will be going and what you will be doing) 
  • creation of a strategy to get you there
  • measurement and evaluation of results when you get there

Use as a resource our Job Search Plan worksheet.

Schedule time with us to polish your job search plan.

schedule a meeting

download Job search plan pdf

Katarina Nikolovski

“I've participated in the Facebook Creator Economy Practicum, which I discovered through an information session led by the professional development center. And this summer, I will intern at Eli Lilly. I landed this internship through the School of Management Employers Forum (SMEF) career fair.”

Katarina Nikolovski, Marketing '23

To prepare  = to be ready

Keep developing your skills! This, of course, never ends. Keep building the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career readiness competencies employers are looking for in their interns and new hires.

With your GPA being only one measurement of your skills and knowledge -- and not a particularly impactful one -- your career development is at least as important as your grades. Put as much thought and effort into your professional development as you do your coursework!

Only 46.4%
of employers use GPA
to screen candidates
(NACE Job Outlook 2025)

NACE Career Readiness Competencies

Career readiness competencies are embedded within and achieved through curriculum and co-curricular activities. Peer and alumni mentorships are also available to further provide competency development opportunities.

NACE Competencies

Career and Self-Development

Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

  • Show an awareness of own strengths and areas for development.
  • Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help one professionally.
  • Seek and embrace development opportunities.
  • Voluntarily participate in further education, training, or other events to support one’s career.

Communication

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

  • Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language, abilities.
  • Employ active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills.
  • Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand.
  • Frame communication with respect to diversity of learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences.

Leadership

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

  • Inspire, persuade, and motivate self and others under a shared vision.
  • Serve as a role model to others by approaching tasks with confidence and a positive attitude.
  • Motivate and inspire others by encouraging them and by building mutual trust.
  • Plan, initiate, manage, complete and evaluate projects.

Professionalism

Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

  • Act equitably with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization.
  • Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings).
  • Prioritize and complete tasks to accomplish organizational goals.
  • Consistently meet or exceed goals and expectations.

Critical Thinking

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

  • Make decisions and solve problems using sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment.
  • Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
  • Proactively anticipate needs and prioritize action steps.
  • Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders.

Teamwork

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

  • Listen carefully to others, taking time to understand and ask appropriate questions without interrupting.
  • Effectively manage conflict, interact with and respect diverse personalities, and meet ambiguity with resilience.
  • Be accountable for individual and team responsibilities and deliverables.
  • Employ personal strengths, knowledge, and talents to complement those of others.

Equity & Inclusion

Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.

  • Actively contribute to inclusive and equitable practices that influence individual and systemic change.
  • Advocate for inclusion, equitable practices, justice, and empowerment for historically marginalized communities.
  • Seek global cross-cultural interactions and experiences that enhance one’s understanding of people from different demographic groups and that leads to personal growth.
  • Keep an open mind to diverse ideas and new ways of thinking.

Technology

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

  • Navigate change and be open to learning new technologies.
  • Identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks.
  • Manage technology to integrate information to support relevant, effective, and timely decision-making.
  • Manipulate information, construct ideas, and use technology to achieve strategic goals.

Sell yourself to employers

With your plan developed, you can prepare to communicate your brand through your resume, your LinkedIn profile, and your participation in career fairs. Your story comes to life only when all the pieces are working in concert. Meet with center consultants and peer consultants to polish these items. Our consultants know what employers are looking for and can give you that insider knowledge to stand out among the crowd. 

Undergraduate Resume Template

Graduate Resume Template

Discover the best practices for an impactful LinkedIn profile.

Prepare for upcoming career fairs. Market your personal brand and find future employers by talking to company representatives on campus.

Make your resume standout with these power verbs and functional skill suggestions.

Increase your job prospects with these cover letter tips.

Don't Forget Small Business

Most students concentrate their job search on Fortune 500 corporations or other large, well-known companies, but don’t count out the small companies just yet. A small company is any business with 200 or fewer employees.

Some traits of working at a small company include:

  • You are given more responsibility and chances for involvement
  • You may have less job security
  • Successes and faults are more visible
  • You must be able to work with everyone in the organization

When considering where to apply, think about whether this type of organization could be right for you.

Working For a Nonprofit

Are you looking for more from your future career than just a steady income? Do you find the traditional employment track unappealing? Do you want the chance to make a real impact in your community or even the world? Then a career in the nonprofit sector may be the answer.

Working in a nonprofit can be both challenging and fulfilling. Although you may not have to worry about meeting sales goals, you may face more limited resources. Employees in nonprofits can often experience quicker career advancement, but they may not make as much money as those in a for-profit business.

If you’re interested in working in a nonprofit, talk to others in the field and consider scheduling an appointment with directors of various nonprofits.

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