Whether you are looking for a part-time local opportunity, or a full-time job related to your degree, the Career Resource Center has multiple resources to help you throughout your journey.
Job search is a process that can take shape in any number of ways. While at times it may take little time to land an opportunity, other times it may take much longer. Regardless, the steps are often similar; preparing your employment documents, utilizing online search tools, maximizing your network, preparing for the interview, and successfully navigating the world of work on an ongoing basis.
One key piece to not forget is balance. Stay focused, yet balanced as you work through your job search. Find time to do the things that you enjoy while using targeted energy for open positions and networking. Be flexible and remember that it only takes one employer to see your value.
Handshake is our campus-wide student career system: find on and off campus jobs, connect with employers, find recruiting events, find alumni and more.
A resume is your opportunity to quickly convey your value, knowledge, skills, and accomplishments to an employer in a targeted way that speaks directly to the needs of the open position.
- Review our Resume Guide to get tips on how to start your first resume.
- Utilize the Resume Builder in Career Coach to work with an easy-to-use resume template, especially if you are drafting your resume for the first time.
- Download this helpful list of Action Verbs to make your resume stand out.
- Review our Cover Letter Guide to draft a document that will help convey why you are a good fit for your targeted role and/or company.
While interviewing can be daunting at first, with a little practice, you can ace your next interview! Check out the resources below, which can help you prepare to articulate your value to any employer.
- Check out our Interviewing Guide to learn more about how to prepare for an interview.
- The “STAR” Technique for Behavior-Based Interview Questions can help you craft a response that includes specific examples.
- Review these Frequently Asked Interview Questions to get a sense of what employers may ask you, plan your responses, and practice!
- Big Interview is an online system that combines training and practice to help improve your interview technique and build your confidence. Use your @saddleback.edu email to register. Students with @ivc.edu can request access by sending an email to ehilden@saddleback.edu.
You will engage in networking and build relationships with professionals throughout the course of your career. Make sure to meet professionals and maintain a contact list that will assist you in your future job search endeavors.
- Craft a 30-Second Introduction to practice pitching yourself to professionals, no matter what context you may make connections.
- Once you’ve made a connection, ask professionals to have a Career Conversation, in which you can learn more about their career path and ask questions to learn more about their industry, company, or role.
- Finally, sign up to participate in our various workshops and events, which includes many topics for learning how to network effectively!
Internships
The Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) program helps students achieve their educational and career goals through for-credit internships and jobs, both paid and unpaid. These work experiences must include training of new or enhanced skills and must be related to a specific program. CWE units are often transferable, but be sure to check with your counselor for details.
Every academic program handles CWE differently. You can contact your program or department Chair with any questions.
Description
The CWE course provides credit for hands-on experiences in your field of study. You may participate in basic to intermediate level opportunities to extend and apply your learning in a workplace environment. Students may enroll in a maximum of 8 units of cooperative work experience education per semester, for a lifetime maximum of 16 units. Students must work 75 paid hours or 60 non-paid hours per unit earned.
Learning Objectives
Students participating in this class will:
- Write measurable learning objectives specific to the workplace assignment.
- Communicate ideas and express self with superiors and co-workers orally and in writing.
- Apply learning about adapting to a new environment, company styles/culture, dress/grooming, habits for success, workplace interpersonal skills, teamwork, decision making and problem solving, and other soft skills included in course content to this workplace experience.
- Apply techniques and procedures learned in the educational environment to the work experience assignment.
- Follow company policies and procedures for the workplace assignments.
- Complete assigned tasks by following directions and using occasional independent judgment.
- Prioritize assigned tasks and use independent judgment to meet deadlines.
- Use guided decision-making to solve problems.
For more information, call (949) 582-4773.