Title: Conduct a Job Search
Course: CTS1131 Hardware Configuration

Introduction

In today’s competitive job market, there are two keys to success, preparation and information.  This module shows you how to sort, gather, and apply information for your career job search and throughout your work life. It will also aid you in selecting the position most likely to meet your goals and developing a plan to reach your goals.

One of the best ways to find these opportunities is through online job boards, the classifieds, or employment agencies …and it’s by talking to people around you. Your network of friends, relatives, colleagues, and acquaintances is a valuable job search resource.

Career Center
The Career Center on campus and online is armed with the resources and tools for success. Studies have shown that when students use the services of the Career Center their job search is shorter and wages are higher. FSCJ Career Development Center provides the following services:

- Individual career counseling and advising
- Career assessments
- Computerized career exploration
- Career resource library
- Occupational research assistance
- Matching majors and career options
- Resumé writing assistance
- Cover letter writing assistance
- Specialized workshops

If you are at another Florida college, be sure to stop in at your own Career Development Center.

Social Media
You've heard again and again how important networking is when you are looking to take the next step in your career. But does that include social networking? Can you "like," "tweet" and "2nd degree connect" your way to a fabulous new position? Career and online experts recommend leveraging social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and (especially) LinkedIn as part of a job search. However, social networking should be used as a complement to, and not a replacement for, more traditional job-search methods.

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:

- Know and practice methods of acquiring career information
- Research a specific occupation in depth
- Explore occupations/college majors in a systematic format
- Use the career resources available in a career center
- Learn how to explore and evaluate labor market options and trends
- Utilize a variety of resources for gathering and interpreting career information
- Analyze the job market in your area of interest
- Identify, discuss and use various sources of career counseling, occupational information and educational programs

Lecture

Internet Job Searching (PowerPoint Presentation) - This presentation from Career Builder.com provides valuable information on how to search for careers using some of the larger job-listing websites. Also, remember to read the presenter's notes on each slide.

Readings

- The Importance of Career Research - Without good research your options will always be limited and your career change may not be as good as it could be.
- Top 19 Career Research Tools - Monster.com suite of career tools can help you plan and manage all aspects of your career, while resources available on government and other sites can help you round out your career and industry knowledge.
- Effective Job Search Techniques - Research shows that anywhere from 60-80 percent of positions are not advertised and are filled through a combination of internal and external referrals which explains why networking is so important.
- Career One Stop - This website is the one-stop center for information on work in the United States. While you are at this site, Explore National Trends and Projections.
- Using Twitter for Job Leads - A brief article that provides advice on how to search for jobs using Twitter.
- Job Networking Tips - An effective job search campaign will not rely solely on one technique. Use a combination of approaches to ensure that you optimize your job search prospects.

Media

- Career Advice from 25 of Your Favorite TV Characters (SlideShare) - 25 TV characters all have something to teach us about dealing with our daily lives and situations in the workplace.
- Module 1.4 Career Research (Youtube video) - A video module on how to begin researching a career.
- LinkedIn Job Search Fundamentals Part 1 - (Ustream video) The first webinar discusses how to develop your personal brand.
- LinkedIn Job Search Fundamentals Part 2 - (Ustream video) The second webinar provides tips for those who are already aware of LinkedIn's job search tools.
- How to Find a New Job Using LinkedIn (Youtube video) - Learn how to use LinkedIn in 3 simple steps.