Job and Internship Search

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When conducting a job search, it is important to consider several techniques and strategies and then develop and adopt the ones that work best for you. Below are links to job search strategies and platforms for college students and new graduates.

Search Strategies

The more contacts you have, the better your chances are of hearing about a job or internship opening. Those contacts can be made in several ways listed below. Try to establish a network of people who will network with and for you.

Steps for Success

  1. Set up a LinkedIn Account.
  2. Join a professional association related to your field of interest.
  3. Arrange informational interviews with people in the fields you are interested in pursuing.
  4. Send thank you notes for all informational interviews and referrals.
  5. Let your contacts know you are interested in the field and would appreciate knowing about any current or upcoming opportunities. Make sure they have your resume.
  6. Stay connected. Be persistent, but not obnoxious.

Interning and volunteering in the community are direct, hands-on experiences where you will develop many skills required for the jobs you seek. Frequently, students are hired full-time as a result of a successful internship or volunteering. Volunteer positions can help you gain experience and professional contacts in a field when you have no prior experience.

Steps for Success

  1. Sign in to Handshake to view the most recent internship and volunteer positions.
  2. Search community resources for volunteer opportunities. Check out the Bay Area Volunteer Information Center for opportunities.

Stay informed about and in touch with all sites likely to list job vacancies in your field. We encourage you to regularly search for opportunities on Handshake. Indeed and LinkUp are examples of job search sites that compile job postings from multiple resources, cutting down the time you need to search different sites dramatically. Be persistent and don't get discouraged.

Steps for Success

  1. Check out the Helpful Career Search Sites guide or section below for job search links.
  2. Consistently check all sites that may have openings in your field.
  3. Respond to ads with a targeted cover letter and resume.
  4. Accept interview offers and be sure to send thank you notes afterwards.

Identify employers you would like to work for and send targeted cover letters with your resume.

Steps for Success

  1. Research employers that you're interested in and narrow down the ones that most interest you.
  2. Determine the best person to contact at each organization - search them on Linkedin or call the organization directly and talk with someone who can give you the name and title of the best person to contact.
  3. Draft your letter and resume, targeting each specific company and addressing it to a specific person.

Employment Agencies, or Third Party Agencies, find jobs for people looking for work, and also find candidates for organizations looking to fill positions. Policies differ for each agency, so do your research before you sign up. You may need to pay a fee and/or sign a long-term contract that may restrict you from working permanently with a company for a period of time. Research the reputation of the firm and always read the fine print before signing anything. That being said, this could be an excellent way to gain valuable experience, test out careers that you're still not sure about, and to network with professionals in your field of interest.

Steps for Success

  1. Contact several agencies and research their services to determine the best ones.
  2. Read all contracts, terms and limitations carefully before signing anything.
  3. Keep in touch often. You have a right to expect results, especially if you are paying for services.

Job Search Platforms & Resources

  • Handshake is great for searching jobs and internships, networking with other students, researching all types of organizations, and registering for career events. Handshake is available for currently enrolled students. View the Best Practices handout to get started. The Handshake Help Center is a great place to learn more about other features. 
  • CSUEB’s GET HIRED page lists job and internship resources tailored to students.
  • LinkedIn is a career-oriented social networking site for job searching and connecting with professionals, peers, and companies of interest.
  • CSUEA A go-to resource connecting the 23 Cal State campuses to the entertainment arts industry through exceptional learning, career development & networking opportunities.
  • National Science Foundation funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program.

Helpful Career Search Sites

Beware of Scammers

Even as the campus, employers, and the country mobilize to protect against COVID-19, scammers are taking advantage of fears around the virus. Be extra careful about calls, texts, and emails regarding employment opportunities. Beware of promises that seem too good to be true as clicking links in these texts and emails can put viruses on your device. Use the employer’s website or LinkedIn page to double-check the validity of the job.

 

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