With career fairs happening in the spring semester, it’s time to gear up for your industry job search! Here are four tips to help you get started.
1. Keep your online profiles up to date
Check your LinkedIn, Handshake, Github, ResearchGate and other online profiles and make sure they contain your most recent educational and work experiences. Completed profiles allow recruiters and fellow professionals to find and connect with you on these crucial platforms, and can lead to opportunities for jobs or further networking. If you need a professional headshot, stop by the Career Services office Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. to use the free photo booth.
2. Update your resume and CV
The beginning of your job search is a great time to review and polish up your resume and CV. Are your documents up to date? Is the formatting clear, well-organized and easy to read? Are you representing your education and experiences in ways that will support your candidacy for your dream job? If you aren’t sure, connect with Career Services to have your resume and CV reviewed by a graduate career development advisor or use the free AI resume builer by Quinncia for instant feedback. Once you’ve updated your documents, make sure the new wording matches what’s in your online profiles.
3. Network, network, network
Now is a great time to capitalize on your existing networking connections and work to build new ones. Find alumni of CU Boulder and other schools you’ve attended who are working in the fields, organizations and roles that interest you, and reach out to set up informational interviews. Networking is more crucial than ever, as you look for opportunities and insider information on the jobs and organizations that interest you, as well as more attainable.
Zoom and email are still great options for networking. Email gives you the chance to craft your questions carefully ahead of time, while Zoom allows all the face-to-face interaction of an in-person meeting with none of the uncomfortable pants and shoes.
4. Attend upcoming Industry Job Search Seminars
The Industry Job Search Seminar series is a great opportunity for graduate and doctoral students to learn more about the basics of a non-academic job search. Session topics include finding job postings, drafting resumes and cover letters, networking, interviewing and more. The four-part series starts on Thursday, Feb. 2, and meets weekly from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Zoom, ending Feb. 23.
If you have questions about your online profiles or job documents, reach out to a career development advisor for a one-on-one appointment. You can also attend grad student office hours on Zoom (Mondays and Thursdays from 3-4 p.m.). Office hours will be paused from Dec. 9 through Jan. 19.