Starting Your Job Search
Assessing Employers’ Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Increasingly, equity, diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) are important values that job seekers are looking for in their workplace. If you are interested in learning about an employer’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, conduct thorough research on the organization, including reviewing their mission, vision, values, and goals.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), you should engage in what is called “conscious job-seeking,” by asking EDI-related probing questions while job searching and interviewing. NACE recommends the following questions to assess a potential employers’ commitment to EDI:
- How does your organization define diversity? What lenses of diversity has your organization made a direct commitment toward?
- Does your organization have a chief diversity officer or a designated leader to drive EDI and engage internal and external stakeholders?
- What social causes does your organization support?
- Does your organization actively support diverse suppliers, contractors, and small businesses?
- Has your organization made any formal commitments in support of racial equity?
- How does your organization center diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging?
- Does your organization offer any formal employee training around biases, anti-racism, or general EDI?
Source: Conscious Job Seeking: Assessing Employers’ Commitment to DEI, NACE, November 16, 2020
Diverse Communities and Identity-Based Resources
As you approach your job search you may want to find job boards and professional associations that are identity-specific, including race, sexual orientation, ability, veteran status, gender, etc. Visit the document library in Hire-A-Redbird for Guides specific to each of these communities or connect with your career advisor:
- Veterans
- International students
- Student-athletes
- Individuals with a disability
- Individuals on the autism spectrum
- Individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ community
Job Search Strategies
There are several job search strategies to find internships and jobs. Use as many as you can during the search process and customize them to what you need. In addition, because of the time involved in customizing your résumé for each position, consider identifying if you are a good fit for a position before you take the time to apply and customize your résumé. Be strategic in your job search.
Online job postings
Online job postings are frequently updated, so use them to identify current openings. Hire-A-Redbird is Illinois State’s online job posting system for Redbird students, alumni, and employers. Use it to find part-time and full-time positions, and internship opportunities.
Online research
Visit an organization’s website to learn about them. Research a variety of them and compare their organizations’ cultures. Check out their core values and mission statement, usually found under ‘About Us’. Also, follow their social media to keep up with their events, job postings, and culture.
LinkedIn/Social Media
A thorough LinkedIn profile, along with actively using the platform with purpose, can connect you with people from previous experiences or within your desired field/career cluster. Include all of your past experiences, educational background, and affiliations, as a recruiter may share something in common with you. With over 3 million jobs listed on LinkedIn, learn how to use it as part of your job strategy. Visit the Power of LinkedIn.
Consider other opportunities
Other ways to connect with employers are to request an informational interview (visit Informational Interviews), participate in a job shadow, apply for a part-time job, or volunteer. Each experience helps to build your network and shows your interest in an organization while allowing them to observe your work ethic.
Internships
Employers often consider candidates they know or who have a reputable source who can vouch for them. Treat your experience as if it were an interview. Internships are one way to build connections and may help you and the employer decide if you are a good fit for a full-time position.
of internships convert to a full-time job
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers
On-campus recruiting
This is a common way for recruiters to connect with students and graduates. Take advantage of events such as professional panels, career fairs, and other career-related events.
of jobs are not listed as formal job postings
Make connections—network
Talk with everyone you know to develop connections. Have career-related conversations with your family members, classmates, friend’s parents, professors, classmates, or supervisors; as they might know (or know of others who know) about opportunities that aren’t formally posted. Don’t forget about social media. Post that you are conducting a job search and ask for leads.
Sources: BusinessInsider.com
The Power of LinkedIn
Use LinkedIn to define your professional digital identity. You may not realize it, but many employers research candidates online. Consider using “Google,” and type in your name to identify what shows up. If you have a LinkedIn profile it is one of the first things that will appear in a search.
What is LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site in the world, with 600+ million users. It is a free way to build your unique professional brand identity to employers.
How can LinkedIn help me?
- Connect with people in your dream company or job.
- Find Illinois State alumni globally to grow your professional network.
- Search for internships and job postings
Where do I start?
Visit LinkedIn.com (the system will walk you through creating a profile), and add in as much information as you can and fill out as many sections as possible.
How can I make my profile engaging?
Use pictures. Include a cover photo that is a visual of your career goals, and use a professional headshot photo. (Get a professional headshot photo taken at the Career Services Fall/Spring Internship Fairs or Fall/Spring Career Fairs for free). In addition, complete all sections and include full descriptions/bullet points.
What do I do after creating a profile?
- Grow your network by searching for friends, family, neighbors, high school teachers, old coaches, etc.
- Connect with alumni, company recruiters, professionals with your dream job.
- Participate in conversations by joining groups related to your specialized interests, follow companies and influencers, receive job/internship postings, and engage with their professional content (i.e., like, comment, and share).
Where can I get help with LinkedIn?
Visit Career Services during drop-in hours, or schedule an appointment with your career advisor today using Hire-A-Redbird.
“ADM uses LinkedIn to promote our open positions. When seeking candidates, one of the things we look at is their leadership qualities. We also consider the (student) groups they are involved in and the honors they have received. Filling out the “About” section is a great place for them to tell about their passions. Candidates should also know that I read all messages that are sent to my LinkedIn profile. I think that’s the best way for the initial reach out.”
– Julie Elwick, campus relations specialist, Archer Daniels Midland
Making Networking Events Work for YOU
Networking events provide opportunities to connect with employers from a variety of organizations to learn about their organizations and their hiring processes. Use your time effectively, and maximize your interactions with employers, using these tips:
Before the event
- Research employers. Identify who is attending an event in advance. For example, the list of registered employers attending a Career Services career fair will be posted prior to each fair and can be accessed on Hire-A-Redbird. Develop a list of employers you are interested in, visit their websites to research important organization information, and take notes.
- Identify your target organizations. Based on your research, prioritize the organizations on your list and determine who to meet first. This will help you make the best use of your time.
- Prepare a 30-second commercial. Your interaction with employers may be limited, so maximize your time by promoting yourself in an appropriate way to ultimately answer the questions “Why should we call you in for an interview or hire you?”
- Practice your 30-second commercial. Try it out with a friend or career advisor so you sound conversational and spontaneous.
During the event
- Be professional and polite. Industry appropriate attire is expected and sets the tone for your interaction with employers. Visit Dressing for the Interview. Approach the employers with confidence and reasonable assertiveness. Smile as you meet with representatives and act politely.
- Use your time well. When it is your turn to speak, use your “commercial” to introduce yourself. Have relevant questions reflecting your knowledge about the employer because that will reflect your interest in the company. Ask for a business card to follow up on prospective leads.
- Bring several résumés printed on high-quality résumé paper when attending networking events.
After the event
- If applying for a job, complete the online process as soon as possible. Many employers require completed digital applications to proceed to a formal interview.
- Send a thank-you letter or email within 24 hours after the event to employers who interest you. In each message, remind your new contact where you met them and reiterate your interest in them, their company, and/or a position discussed.
Sample introduction/30 second commercial
- Hello, my name is <your name>. I’m majoring in <major/> (or graduating in <month, year> with a degree in <major>).
Introduce yourself and your area of study
- I am interested in <internship/job> with your organization because of my experience <state previous internship, part-time employment, student organization experience, a related class project, etc.> as you will see on my résumés.
Connect the organization/role/position to your experience, if not directly related to your major, pitch your experiences or transferable skills.
- You’ll also see that I have done <previous internship, part-time employment, student organization experience, a related class project, etc.>, which allowed me to develop <name relevant skills gained> which would allow me to be successful in the position.
Highlight your strengths or achievements. Convey your message naturally without sounding rehearsed.
- Based upon your website’s description of what is required of entry-level candidates, I am confident I can contribute to the future growth of <organization name>.”
Share why you would be a good fit for the position or organization. Show you have researched the employer by sharing a personal career goal that aligns with the mission statement of that specific institution.
Alumni Mentor Network
Redbirds Helping Redbirds
Join the Alumni Mentor Network, a tool connecting students with alumni volunteer mentors.
Identify an alumni to assist you in your career journey
For more information, contact Career Services at (309) 438–2200.
Build your network and gain experience
Gain related experiences and build your network. Consider one or more of these suggestions or connect with your career advisor for others specific to your career.
- Work a part-time job. Visit Hire-A-Redbird for vacant part-time positions or attend the Fall Part-time Job Fair.
- Participate in research with faculty in your academic areas of interest.
- Activities/campus involvement. Visit RedbirdLife for student organizations on campus.
- Volunteer/service learning/civic engagement. Connect with the Illinois State Center for Civic Engagement.
- Gig and freelance work
- Visit Hire-A-Redbird for internship and micro-internship opportunities.
- Hire-A-Redbird, an online job board that posts part-time and internship opportunities
- One-on-one career and/or internship advising
- Networking events–Visit Career Services website for a complete list of events each semester
Internships
Internships are professionally supervised work or service experiences that include intentional learning outcomes designed to provide real world experiences.
Internships may be paid or unpaid, taken for credit or not-for-credit, be held on-campus or off-campus, and are usually a one-time experience, lasting a semester.
The value of internships
Internships provide many opportunities for you to develop your transferable skills, which are vital to your career regardless of what career path you choose. Visit Transferable Skills.
In fact, having participated in an internship and developing your skills can make a big difference to an employer when choosing between two equally qualified candidates.
Internships are a very effective way to gain experience, build your professional network, and should be included in your résumé along with listing the skills you developed. Visit Developing Your Résumé.
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers
Internship considerations at Illinois State
- 41 percent of undergraduate programs at Illinois State require internships (professional practice) for graduation
- Academic oversight of internships is handled by each academic department
- Each academic department has an assigned internship coordinator who oversees for-credit internship experience
- Tuition and fees are assessed for all credit-bearing internships
- Professional practice courses at Illinois State are coded 198, 298, 398, or 498
- Only credit-bearing internships will appear on your official transcripts