Find a Job
Finding a job is a multistep process. Your search should involve self-assessment, networking, and research. Not to mention the work of establishing your resume, drafting cover letters, and preparing for interviews.
The Luther College Career Center is your partner in the process. We are available with guidance and resources, every step of the way.
Your Job Search Checklist
- Identify your personal strengths, skills, interests, and values.
- Make a list of possible job titles/fields of interest.
- Name two or three careers/jobs you plan to pursue.
- Research organizations or companies that might hire someone with your skills, interests, and background.
- Research potential career fields: typical entry-level jobs, typical salaries, best geographic location for jobs, etc.
- Identify the top three geographic areas where you’d like to live and work.
- Identify 10 potential employers for the type of work you’re seeking.
- Have your resume and cover letter(s) reviewed by a professional in the field or a staff member in the Career Center.
- Make sure your LinkedIn profile is “employer ready.”
- Prepare a portfolio or work samples to highlight your experiences, skills, and talent, if relevant for your industry.
- Practice your “30-second elevator pitch” for short encounters with employers.
- Develop your “liberal arts story” for employers in order to highlight your education.
- Identify three individuals who will serve as references. Consider work supervisors, faculty, or coaches who have known you more than a year and can speak to your character and work ethic.
- Develop your interview skills.
- Prepare for interviews by practicing your responses to typical questions and/or doing a practice interview.
- Find an interview outfit that is appropriate for the field in which you plan to work.
- Record a professional-sounding voice mail message in case an employer calls.
- Establish a professional email address to share with employers and be sure it’s an email you check.
- All Students: Regularly check Handshake and LinkedIn for career opportunities in your field.
- International Students: Also regularly check Interstride using your Luther single sign-on (SSO) for open positions, advice, and tailored resources. Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) Disclosure Data—The Department of Labor Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) data identifies U.S. employers that have shown an interest in hiring international students. You can also create a profile at Myvisajobs.com and search for jobs with organizations who have sponsored H-1B visas over the last few years. Check out the top 100 employers. University of Illinois has a list of CPT & OPT Data from fall 2022.
- Establish a system for keeping track of your applications, contacts, interviews, and other job-search activities.
- Network with Luther alumni to identify opportunities at their workplaces and hear any industry or general advice.
- Send thank you notes or emails to each person who interviews you or helps you along the way.
Job Search Resources
- Alaska
- Access Dubuque This site has unlimited resources and information available for the Dubuque, Iowa area
- America’s Job Bank Post your resume, create cover letters, track your job searches, and develop a personal on-line career account to help you with your job search.
- Art Search Job opportunities with theatres, performing arts centers, summer festivals, universities and colleges, dance companies, opera companies, symphony orchestras, museums and arts councils. This site provides access to numerous positions in various visual and performing arts settings.
- Glassdoor gives students an inside look at jobs and companies
- Big Shoes Network our purpose is to present you with internships and job openings that are within the fields of advertising, communications, graphic design, marketing, public relations, and web design & development. Nearly all of these opportunities will be located in Illinois and Wisconsin.
- Career Builder job opportunities and career advice
- Collegegrad.com an entry level job site with links to top entry level employers.
- Corridor Careers job opportunities in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area
- Greater Dubuque Development career opportunities in the tri-state area
- Idealist locate social impact jobs
- Indeed.com A great search engine for seeking jobs both within the U.S. and abroad. You can customize your search for a number of countries, including Brazil, China, Germany, France, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and several others.
- Iowa Arts Council job opportunities in the arts across Iowa.
- Mayo Online Career Center opportunities working for an internationally respected private, not-for-profit, group practice
- Minnesota Department of Economic Security Workforce Center System includes an Occupations in Demand search tool
- Minnesota Jobs regional resource for making employment connections
- Monster browse opportunities by job title, company, city or state
- Pollen is a community of civic-minded connectors who share ideas, career and civic engagement opportunities. Check out their job and internship listings
- School Spring resource for education related jobs
- Social Service Check out this site for new job listings, receive emails of job postings and also have the option to post your resume on-line for work in social services
- USA Jobs Explore 1,000s of job listings, build your resume, learn how to apply for jobs, explore career interests, and many other things