Job Searching

Huntsman School of Business Resources

Whether you're just beginning to explore ifferent professional options or ready to launch your career, the Huntsman School offers many events and resources to help you become career-ready and navigate the job seach process.

Events

Here are a few key events hosted at the Huntsman School:

• Focused Fridays
  Fridays are dedicated to accelerating careers through workshops and events, such as Leadership Forums, employer panels, and Backpack to Briefcase episodes, to discuss industry insigns, career opportunities, or prevalent business topics. Learn more about Focused Fridays.
• Career Expo
  Get your suit cleaned, your resume polished, and practice your personal elevator pitch! The Huntsman Career Expo is your opportunity to connect with key professionals and learn about summer internships and employment opportunities. Learn more about the Career Expo.
• Clubs & Organizations
  Get involved with one or more Huntsman Student Clubs to connect with like-minded students and faculty advisors. Clubs host industry professionals, events, and career development workshops. Learn more about Huntsman Student Clubs and Organizations.

Don't forget to visit the Huntsman Calendar for a complete list of events:

Calendar

Handshake Tips & Tricks

Available to all USU students and alums, Handshake provides access to postings from thousands of employers nationwide. Create a professional profile to receive personalized recommendations, upload your resume, and apply for jobs and internships directly through the platform.

Here are six tips to help you navigate the platform and find your perfect job.

1. Update Your Profile: A complete profile yields applicable jobs based on the details provided; employers also like to see past job experiences, extracurriculars, skills, and projects.
2. Apply Filters to Searches: Search with slightly different filters (location, job type, industry) to see related positions with other keywords.
3. Look at 'New Jobs Recommended for You': Reviewing the suggested jobs is a great way to find opportunities that may have been excluded based on filters.
4. Follow Companies that Interest You: If you have an employer or company you want to work for, find and follow that company to prioritize their listings in future searches.
5. Read through the 'Interview' Tab: Utilize the 'Interview' tab to see potential feedback from other students who have previously interviewed with a given companyl
6. Attend Handshake Events and Career Fairs: Start forming relationships with recruiters and other company contacts by exploring and attending events as soon as possible.

Aggie Handshake

Researching Companies

Researching companies is a great way to identify how companies align with your career goals and values. It also helpls you to take advantage of entworking opportunities and prepare for interviews.

Here are some tips to help you research companies effectively:

1. Company Website: Learn about a company's mission, values, products, and/or services to understand their goals and how they operate.
2. Social Media: Follow the company on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok to stay current with the latest news, events and industry trends.
3. In the News: Search news articles, press releases, and industry magazines about recent accomplishments, challenges, and future plans.
4. Attend Events: Participate in career fairs, information sessions, and industry events to meet company representatives, ask meaningful questions, and learn more about the company. 
5. Informational Interviews: Build relationships through informational interviews to expand your network, gain valuable insights, and potentially lead to job or internship opportunities.
6. Network: Connect with alumni and key individuals to expand your professional network, build mentoring relationships, gain valuable insights, and cultivate employment opportunities.

Informational Interviews:

An informational interview is an informal conversation you initiate, generally lasting 15-30 minutes, with a professional in your desired career path. Skillfully used, this is one of the most valuable sources to understand company values, position specifics, and building connections.

Informational Interview Quick Steps:

1. Arrange the interview, remember to be courteous, and explain your objective fo gathering information
2. Prepare specific questions before the interview
3. Send a thank you email or handwritten note within 24 hours of your conversation

Arrange the Interview

1. Identify Potential Interviewees: Select people in the industry or career you want to learn more about through inkedIn, the company website, or your network.
2. Reach Out: Send a brief message expressing your interest in their career or industry and explain that you want to ask questions about their experience.
3. Set a Date and Time: Once they have expressed interest in speaking with you, arrange a date and time, confirming a few days in advance to ensure timely communication.

Prepare for the Interview

Before the interview, prepare a list of questions you want to ask. Questions could cover their background, career path, advice for someone starting in the industry, or challenges they have faced. Remember, tailor your questions to the specific industry, career, and individual. Be curious, actively listen, and follow up with additional questions that build on what they've shared.

Sample Questions

Day of the Interview

Make sure to arrive on time and dress appropriately. Respect the interviewee's time and keep the coversation focused on your questions. Rememver to take notes and ask follow-up questions if something needs clarification.

Follow Up

After the interview, send the interviewee a thank you note or email expressing your gratitude for their time and insights. Sending a thank you note is an excellent opportunity to ask additional questions or clarify any points you missed during the interview. For more information, see the section below.

Remember, an informational interview is not a job interview, so don't expect to be offered a job. Instead, this is an opportunity to learn more and connect with field professionals.

Thank You Notes and Emails

Following up after an informational interview is crucial. Sending a note or email demonstrates your professionalism. It is an excellent opportunity to remind your new connection of your conversation. Follow up promptly by sending your note or email 24-48 hours after meeting them. Keep it brief and make it personal.

Sample Thank You

Subject: Thank You For the Insightful Conversation

Dear [Name of Contact],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for taking this time to speak with me. Our conversation left a lasting impression. I appreciate your valuable insights and advice regarding [specific topic discussed].

Your guidance and expertise in the [Industry/Field] were enlightening. I found our discussion about [highlight a specific aspect] particularly inspiring, and it has reaffirmed my passion for pursuing a career in this field.

Once again, thank you for your time and valuable insights. I look forward to staying connected and hope our paths cross again.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information / LinkedIn URL]

Backpack to Briefcase

Backpack to Briefcase: Step up your game with Backpack to Briefcase professional workshops! Get ready to shift gears from classroom to workplace. Our experts will dive into essential career development topics, boosting your resume, nailing cover letters, acing interviews, and more.