On April 14, 2020 the College of Education hosted a Zoom presentation on how to find jobs during a time of uncertainty. Career Employer Partnerships Outreach Specialist Calie Condo and Assistant Director of Career Development at the College of Education Erica Johnston led the hour-long Zoom discussion sharing professional resources and advice on how to navigate the current job market. The following is a synopsis of Condo and Johnston's advice.

Acknowledgements and Expectations

While COVID-19 altered some College of Education students' post-grad plans, this outcome is not permanent. The present and future are uncertain for everyone and it is best to be kind to yourself during the job hunt process.

"Self acceptance and self care are important especially at this time," says Condo.

In order to navigate the current job landscape, it is crucial for students to still apply even if there are hiring freezes. Some employers are recruiting but not officially hiring until the fall and some employers are hiring now and utilizing remote training.

"The job hunt takes time. Patience and positivity are key. Your search will pay off," Condo reinforces.

When it comes to applying, it needs to be intentional. When students are writing resumes and cover letters, they should be personalizing their materials for each position. To see if the position is a good fit, students must think about why they want the specific position with the company, organization, or school. 

Applying to a variety of positions will also benefit students. Taking a job to learn and gain experience can be just as crucial to a student's professional development; careers are not linear paths.

College of Education Professional Resources

The College of Education offers a variety of resources for students looking for jobs. Some resources include Temple's career management system, Handshake, College of Education newsletters, Idealist.org, EducatePA.com and the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND).

When using Handshake, make sure your profile is complete and up to date. Utilize filters instead of keyword searches and think outside the box.

How to Create a Successful Resume and Cover Letter

Well-written resumes and cover letters are essential for successful job applications. Condo and Johnston give students an outline of how their resumes should look.

They also include a list of do's and don'ts when writing a resume. Some big takeaways are to always be consistent and proofread before you submit. 

Cover letters are fundamental tools for professional development. They supplement resumes, make connections between the applicant and the job and give the applicant another opportunity to prove why employers should hire them.

When creating a cover letter, it is always important to keep it clear, concise and detailed. It needs to include the same header as the resume and should be addressed to a specific person.

Students can receive help remotely from the Career Center for resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles, as well as for mock interviews. 

Utilizing Your Network

Building a network is something students need to be doing as soon as possible and is not as difficult as it appears. Reaching out to network connections for advice or tips goes a long way. Sometimes a connection leads to a job! 

College of Education alumni are passionate about making an impact. Students should remember that alumni were once in their same position. If they can offer any tips or advice, they typically will try to help out their fellow Owls.

An easy way to start networking is by joining LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a platform that tells the professional community more about you than just your experience and accomplishments. Students can build their brand by having a LinkedIn profile which they can utilize to make connections. Take advantage of LinkedIn's job alerts and and follow companies that align with specific career goals. 

Applying and Interviewing

Students are encouraged to complete several applications during the job hunt. Additionally, it is important to get into the habit of following up with potential employers.

If students get to interview, they must be ready to do it virtually or over the phone. If they need assistance with preparing, they can prepare with virtual demos found on Handshake.

Thank you notes go a long way! After interviewing, students can send their interviewers thank you notes expressing their appreciation for the opportunity and interest in the position.

Be Kind to Yourself

At the end of the day, students must remember that they need to be kind to themselves during the job hunt process. It takes a lot of hard work and patience.

Condo and Johnston concluded their presentation by reminding students that they are always here for students.

If students would like career assistance, they can visit the Career Center website or review the Career Center Canvas page. To contact Condo or Johnston directly, they can be reached at [click-for-email] and [click-for-email].