Five Things To Do This Month If You Want a Job Someday

September is here and many employers start looking for future summer interns and full-time hires this month. Are you ready? Read on for five things you can do this month to be ready for future employment opportunities, whether you’re graduating in three months or three (or more) years.

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1. Update your resume.

It’s time to dust off your resume and make sure it has all your most recent accomplishments and activities included. Use a clear, organized format that showcases evidence of your skills and achievements. For more guidance, review these tips. You can have your resume reviewed at the University Career Center during drop-in hours. 

Photo: Andrew Neel 

2. Research industries and employers that interest you.

Assess the kind of industry and organizations that would be a good fit for your skills and interests. Some ways to gather this kind of information:

• Explore industry guides and “day-in-the-life” testimonials from business professionals on the Vault website (log-in with your NinerNet credentials)
• Use the Belk College Alumni Advisor Network to schedule online, virtual “meetings” with alumni and other professionals. You can ask what their day-to-day work is like and advice they have for you as you begin your career or make a career change.
• Talk to students who have had internships to see what their experience was like.
• Ask faculty about their work experiences in the industry or alumni they know who are employed in the field.
• Speak with your academic and career coach or an advisor in University Career Center about career paths and industries that might be a good fit for you.  
• Read employer reviews on sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor

3. Get your professional attire ready.

For most business fields, you’ll need a suit for interviews. You don’t need to spend a lot of money - check out low-cost retailers, thrift shops, or secondhand stores if you’re on a budget. Think about obtaining this kind of attire ahead of time so you’re not stressing the night before an interview. Learn more about professional dress.

4. Create or update your Hire-A-Niner profile.

Hire-A-Niner (HAN) not only has tons of internship, part-time and full-time job postings, but also access to other career tools and online resources. Update your profile and upload your resume so employers can see your information and you have full access to postings and resources. If you're creating an account for the first time your resume will need to be reviewed and approved by University Career Center staff before your account is ready to use. This can take a few days so plan accordingly.

5. Prepare for and attend the campus career fair on September 21.

The campus-wide fall career fair will be held Friday, September 21 from 10:00-2:00 in the Student Activity Center. A list of participating employers can be found in Hire-A-Niner. Create a short, targeted list of employers that interest you most. Look at the internships and jobs they have posted on HAN. Brainstorm how your skills might be a good fit for those positions and figure out how you’re going to introduce yourself. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask employers. If you want more career fair preparation tips, attend the Niblock Student Center Lunch and Learn, "Career Fair Ready" on September 18! (Register here.)

After attending, be sure to follow-up with employers and apply for any jobs or internships on Hire-A-Niner that interest you.

While September may seem a little early to be thinking about an internship for spring or summer or a full-time job after May graduation, many large employers start their hiring processes this month. Start early for maximum employment and networking opportunities!