Job hunting during spring break

A lot of college seniors fly to the sun for a fun-filled vacation during spring break, so if you’re staying home, you might be feeling left out. But the truth is that staying home gives you an advantage over your classmates — you’ll have some extra time to invest in your job search. And since graduation will soon be here, you need all the time you can get if you want to land a good job. The following five steps can help.

1. Determine what kind of job you want. In her article titled “Spring Break Job Search Retreat” for Psychology Today, Katharine Brooks, Ed.D., advises spending some time gaining clarity into the kind of job you want. Research what types of jobs are available for people in your field, as well as what the requirements are for each. Then decide which job is the best fit for your qualifications and goals.
2. Get your résumé and cover letter in order. Now you know what kind of job you want, you can tailor your career materials accordingly. Make sure that your résumé lists all relevant skills and accomplishments, and write a cover letter you can easily customize for each individual job application.
3. Review your online presence. In the Forbes articles “4 Simple Steps to Refresh Your Job Search for Spring,” Emilie Aries recommends reviewing your online presence to make sure your value proposition is clear. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile, as well as your other social networking profiles, clearly present you as an aspirational young professional in your field. 
4. Network. Use your time off to touch base with existing contacts and ask if they know of any job openings. It’s also wise to see if you can attend any networking events, for example if any local organizations are holding mixers. Plus, don’t forget about interacting with people in your field online. Join LinkedIn professional groups that are relevant to your occupation and participate in the conversations. If you have time, do some volunteer work, since this is a good place to meet people who might be able to connect you with others in your field. 
5. Apply for jobs. You can use online job boards to look for jobs, as well as companies’ own career sites. In addition, it’s smart to talk to a recruiter about the kind of job you want after graduation. The sooner you inform a good recruiter about your qualifications and what you’re looking for, the sooner you’re likely to hear about interesting opportunities. 

Job hunting during spring break might not be your idea of fun, but it’s time well spent when you consider the payoff it can have — landing you your first job after graduation!

Source:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/career-transitions/201603/spring-break-job-search-retreat

https://www.forbes.com/sites/emiliearies/2017/04/18/4-simple-steps-to-refresh-your-job-search-for-spring/#1b0f6c4e786b

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