Job and Internship Search Guide

Before you begin your internship or job search, take time to narrow down what you are looking for (position type, organization type, location, etc.), this will equip you to create a targeted serach approach that will lead to effective results.

Know Yourself

  • What are your values, interests, identities, personality, skills/competencies, strengths and needs?
  • What are your key educational, work, volunteer and leadership experiences?
  • What is your preferred type of work environment (e.g. team-oriented staff, travel opportunities, long-term projects)? What do I need from a supervisor (e.g. flexibility, autonomy)?
  • What geographic location are you targeting?
  • What type of position/job category/job titles are you seeking such as: banking, editing, human resources, public relations, teaching, computer sciences, research?

Research Industries and Organizations

  • What type of employers are you interested in: non-profit, for-profit, and/or government?
  • What industry do you want to work in? Explore industries at O*NET OnLine and/or search Handshake to search and explore positions by industry type.
  • What organizations do you want to target?

Resources to help you narrow down your list:

Start Your Internship and Job Search Early

Internships and jobs are posted year-round and organizations have different recruitment timelines. Start the search process early as some organizations start their recruitment process several months in advance. For example, if you are looking for a summer internship or if you are seeking a full-time job for after May graduation, you should begin your search the fall prior.

The annual UMN Crookston Job & Internship Fair and the UMN Job & Internship Fair dates serve as good reminders of when you should be searching, preparing application materials, and applying for internships and jobs. 

Job & Internship Search Strategies

There is more than one way to find a job or internship. Approach your search with several strategies.

Try networking

70-80% of people cited networking as the reason they were hired. Networking is forming and maintaing relationships with people in careers and/or organizations of interest to you.

Use Handshake

Handshake is the UMN's free source for internship and job postings, career events, employer contacts, and more with ~3,500 postings for jobs, internships, and volunteer positions on an average day. As a student or graduate, you have access for life. 

To Search for Jobs, Internships, or Volunteer Positions:

  • In the Job/Internship Search tab, start with job category and identify up to 5 options
  • To identify an internship, under Position Type, choose: Internship, Part-time student, Summer job, Volunteer
  • If Job Category isn't helping your search, select Advanced Search and look by Industry Sectors
  • Choosing Area of Study will limit your results

Handshake Tips

  • Update your Profile on a regular basis: Include your graduation semester and year, major/s & minor/s, and GPA in order to qualify for particular jobs and for on-campus interviews.
  • Under My Profile, in the Additional Information section, choose to "Allow Employer Viewing" to increase your visibility on Handshake.
  • To apply for any position through Handshake, upload a resume. Your first resume will be under a pending status until it's reviewed by a professional staff member. You will be notified within 48 hours of that status. Once your first resume is approved, you'll be able to add additional resumes without needing them reviewed.
  • If you are moving away from the area GoinGlobal through Handshake offers city and country guides to assist in your job search with local resources for each geographic location for UMN students and alumni.

Check Out Job/Internship Search Websites

The following are other sites to utilize in addition to Handshake.

  • LinkedIn - Find out who you're connected with at an organization of interest, whether local, national or global.
  • Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Opportunities at non-profits throughout the state
  • Idealist - Opportunities at local, national, and international nonprofits and non-government organizations (NGOs)
  • USA JOBS - This is the offical job search website of the United States Government
  • Professional Organizations - Often there are specific sites for your industry of interest where job and internship opportunities are posted
  • Depending on your career interest, you'll find many other sites online. Always remember to be careful about the sites you use, and remember that it's always best to use several different sources of information

Attend Career Fairs

From an UMN employer survey on career fairs, 69% of employers reported that they typically hire 1-20 students for full-time positions and 68% hire 1-20 students for internships.

Mark your calendar for UMN Crookston Career & Internship Fair, the U of M Job Fair, plus many other fairs. Additional UMN fairs and career events can be seen through Handshake. Also see tips on attending career fairs.

Consider using a staffing agency

Staffing agencies hire for temporary and permanent positions on behalf of other organizations. Many companies/organizations use these agencies - rather than their own internal recruiters - to fill open positions. 

Staffing agencies typically offer temporary, contract, and direct-hire positions. And they generally fill professional positions as well as administrative jobs (although the offerings of various agencies do vary considerably, depending on their niche).

If you choose to work with an agency, do your research and ask questions to find the one that best fits your needs. Be sure to work only with those agencies that do not charge you, the job seeker. Staffing agency fees are typically paid by the employers who work with the agencies.

Working with a staffing agency has it own pros and cons:

Pros:Cons:
  • Most agencies offer an extremely personal approach and will help you with your resume, interview preparation, and job fit.
  • You can gain short-term professional experience, perhaps with a variety of organizations
  • An agency can help you secure a position quickly if you're moving to a new city without a job
  • Many temporary agency contracts offer no benefits
  • Immediate job openings may require you to start work right away
  • Though temporary positions may lead to full-time employment, there are no guarantees

Overcoming Job Search Barriers

  • ALWAYS send a cover letter, whether it's required or not, unless a posting specifically tells you not to do so
  • Customize and proofread your cover letter, resume, and all other required documents
  • Identify a networking connection within the organization from sources such as LinkedIn and the Professional Networking tab on Handshake to understand the organizations culture
  • Monitor your social media accounts for offensive or potentially misleading images or content
  • Get creative and find ways to stay engaged in the industry you are targeting: volunteer, job shadow, or pursue and complete a project, or work part-time

Federal Employment-Specific Information

Federal employment is much different and more nuanced in many ways. 

  • USA JOBS is the official job posting and application website for federal jobs and internships.
  • Federal positions are grouped under broad categories called Occupational Series. Go to U.S. Office of Personnel Managmeent to find with ones fit your career goals.
  • The Pathways Programs offer opportunities to gain experience while still in college and via entry-level positions once graduated.
  • In general, longer resumes are more favorable for federal positions. A resume less than 3 pages will not be considered. Go to USA JOBS for examples.

Job & Internship Search Guide (Printable PDF)

This guide is adapted from the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Career Resources