Learn How to Start Your Job or Internship Search!
A job or internship search is a circular process that requires continuous engagement in research, networking, and reflection. A search requires a two-part approach. There’s a proactive component which utilizes networking to reveal information related to unposted jobs, and a passive component which utilizes online job search tools and resources.
Questions to Ask Yourself to Guide Your Search
- What are you looking for in this opportunity?
- Are your application materials up-to-date?
- What are your “must haves.” These vary from person to person, however examples include: position type, individual values, workload, day-to-day, interests, required skills, location, salary, benefits, individual needs, and industry.
- What opportunities and position types you are looking for?
- Are you comfortable with evaluating job descriptions to customize your application materials?
Understanding the Search Process
The search process requires a lot of patience and perseverance. You may find yourself at different phases of the process
in each opportunity you apply for.
Interviewing: communicating and assessing your fit for the position and organization – also an opportunity for you to evaluate how the position and organization meets your needs and confirm timelines
Searching: identifying opportunities via network connections, online job boards, professional associations, conferences, university resources, and industry events
Applying: evaluating job postings, customizing application documents, attending career fairs
Waiting: utilize this time to reflect and recalibrate your search techniques, reconnect with your network and continue to make connections, develop professionally, work on your weaknesses, practice your interviewing techniques, and continue searching
How to Initiate Your Search
Evaluate and incorporate stress management techniques to maintain motivation
Identify yourself as a candidate to your connections
Utilize the resources available to you to research, network, apply to opportunities, and prepare for interviews
Organize your search in a system that works for you (see an example on back): save the job posting, use a consistent and professional naming convention for documents (Last_resume_organization)
General Career Fair FAQ
A career fair is where employers and students seeking a job or internship can network together and discuss available opportunities. Students can also explore different industries and career pathways available to them. A career fair is a great place to explore your career and learn more about a wide range of companies. A fair normally consists of recruiters from different companies at individual tables, sometimes they are even UF alumni. The recruiters can talk about the open positions, whether it is jobs or internships, as well as what the application and interview process entail.
Networking is one of the most common ways to hear about employment opportunities. By attending a career fair, you can walk away with organization and industry knowledge that can help enhance your resume as well as guide you on your career path. You also have the opportunity to personalize your resume by introducing yourself in real time. Along with great networking opportunities, career fairs are a great place to explore career options and learn more about different companies and organizations.
Exploring: A career fair can be a great opportunity to learn more about different career pathways and organizations. By the time you are in your junior and senior years looking for jobs and internships, you will be a career fair expert!
Internship Seeking: You might be going to learn about specific organizations and what opportunities they can offer you.
Full-Time Job Seeking: You might be ready to find full-time employment after graduation and make a personal connection with companies you are interested in.
- Start with identifying the organizations you are interested in and researching them
- Head over to Gator CareerLink to see a list of employers that are coming to the fair!
- Prepare questions or comments about the organization and positions that interest you
- Prepare your introduction
- Check out our elevator pitch guide to help you!
- Make sure you know the dress code
- Ensure you have your resume ready to go!
Different Career Fairs have different dress requirements. Always check the website! Here are a few of UF’s fairs and what the appropriate dress code is. Remember to check out the Gator Career Closet!
| CASUAL/SMART CASUAL | BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL | |
| Part-Time Fair | Career Showcase | |
| Majors & Minors Fair | Diversity Meet-Up | |
| Summer Experience Fair | MSE & NE Fair | |
| Just In Time Fair | AI & Computer Science Fair | |
| Agricultural & Biological Engineering Fair | ||
| Careers in the Public Sector | ||
| SEC & ACC Fair | ||
| Careers in Communication Fair | ||
| Global Career Fairs |
- A folder or portfolio with your printed resumes
- If you have different career interests, be sure to bring different resumes tailored to your interests
- Your list of questions & talking points
- A pen & paper
Different recruiters might have different styles. Try to be flexible with the person you are speaking to. Some employers might ask for your resume right away. Others might not. Make sure you have questions or topics to talk about if they want you to ask questions.
Some sample questions:
What are you looking for in a candidate?
As a freshman, I have some time to plan ahead. What would you recommend any skills or experience I should gain that would be attractive in this industry?
What types of projects do interns work on at your organization?
Can you tell me about your hiring timelines for internships/full-time positions?
Recruiters will expect you to be professional with a confident greeting, good eye contact, and genuineness. Be able to introduce yourself and be knowledgeable about their organization. Be familiar with your resume as recruiters will be asking questions about the information on it! Also, be sensitive of a recruiter’s time at a fair. If there is a long line, make sure you are being concise and considerate.
If you received contact information from the recruiter, be sure to send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the fair. Follow up on any information requested or any follow-up questions you asked. Be sure to reference something specific in your conversation to allow the recruiter to remember you. Even if you do not receive a response back, be sure to send a thank-you message.
- Not being dressed appropriately or being unkempt. Be sure to avoid strong perfume, lotions, or colognes.
- Monotone or over-rehearsed pitch. Be sure to remember that career fairs are about conversations!
- Not paying attention while waiting in line. Recruiters might be watching while you are waiting in line. Make sure you are still being professional.
- Being unprepared. Employers want you to know about their company. Make sure you do your research.
That is okay. You won’t click with everyone. You can always find a Career Center employee to talk to during or after the event.
Career Showcase Specific FAQ
A career fair is where employers and students seeking a job or internship can network together and discuss available opportunities. Students can also learn more about the different industries and career pathways available to them. A fair normally consists of recruiters from different companies at individual tables, sometimes they are even UF alumni. The recruiters can talk about the open positions, whether it is jobs or internships, as well as what the application and interview process entail.
Networking is one of the most common ways to hear about employment opportunities. By attending career showcase, you can walk away with organization and industry knowledge that can help enhance your resume as well as guide you on your career path. You also have the opportunity to put your face with your resume.
Exploring: Career Showcase can be a great opportunity to learn more about different career pathways and organizations. By the time you are in your junior and senior years looking for jobs and internships, you will be a career fair expert!
Internship Seeking: You might be going to learn about specific organizations and what opportunities they can offer you.
Full Time Job Seeking: You might be ready to find full-time employment after graduation and make a personal connection with companies you are interested in.
Career Showcase consists of Diversity Meet-Up, Technical Day, and Non-Technical Day. There are also some smaller fairs that take place concurrently with Career Showcase. Check out our Career Showcase website for more information on those! (Link to: https://career.ufl.edu/events-and-programs/career-fairs/career-showcase/)
Diversity Meet-Up: Diversity Meet-Up is a networking event without the boundaries of the career fair. The event allows students and employers to connect in a relaxed environment.
Technical Day: Technical day focuses on connecting students to employers with opportunities in engineering, information technology, research & development, architecture, programming, construction, and biomedical manufacturing, and other technical professions.
Non-Technical Day: Non-Technical day connects students to employers with opportunities in accounting, management, sales, government, finance, hospitality, healthcare, communications, marketing, social services, and other non-technical professions.
- Start with identifying the organizations you are interested in and researching them. You can find a list on Gator CareerLink!
- Prepare questions or comments about the organization and positions that interest you
- Prepare your introduction
- Check out our elevator pitch guide to help you!
- Make sure you know the dress code
- Ensure you have your resume ready to go!
- Stop by any of our Career Showcase Prep Events!
Be sure to wear business professional if you are planning to speak to recruiters at career showcase. Remember to check out the Gator Career Closet! Wear comfortable shoes! It is much easier to speak with recruiters if you are comfortable when standing or walking for long periods of time.
- A folder or portfolio with your printed resumes
- If you have different career interests, be sure to bring different resumes tailored to your interests
- Your list of questions & talking points
- A pen & paper
Different recruiters might have different styles. So, try to be flexible with the person you are speaking to. Some employers might ask for your resume right away. Others might not. Make sure you have questions or topics to talk about if they want you to ask questions. If you need to practice your elevator pitch, drop by extended Express Drop-In hours the week before showcase.
Some sample questions:
What are you looking for in a candidate?
As a first-year student, I have some time to plan ahead. What would you recommend any skills or experience I should gain that would be attractive in this industry?
What types of projects do interns work on at your organization?
Can you tell me about your hiring timelines for internships/full-time positions?
Recruiters will expect you to be professional with a firm handshake, good eye contact, and genuineness. Be able to introduce yourself and be knowledgeable about their organization. Also, be sensitive of a recruiter’s time at a fair. If there is a long line, make sure you are being concise and considerate.
If you received contact information from the recruiter, be sure to send a thank you email within 24 hours of the fair. Follow up on any information requested or any follow up questions you ask. Be sure to reference something specific in your conversation to allow the recruiter to remember you. Even if you do not receive a response back, be sure to send a thank you message.
- Not being dressed appropriately or being unkempt. Be sure to avoid strong perfume, lotions, or colognes.
- Monotone or over-rehearsed pitch. Be sure to remember that career fairs are about conversations!
- Not paying attention while waiting in line. Recruiters might be watching while you are waiting in line. Make sure you are still being professional.
- Being unprepared. Employers want you to know about their company. Make sure you do your research.
That is okay. You won’t click with everyone. You can always find a Career Center employee to talk to.
Employer Hosed Event FAQ
Employer Hosted Events allows employers and students to connect with each other, and they could be hiring or education focused. Some events are open to all students while other events could be private. Employer Hosted Events range from informal meet and greets to larger group presentations.
Employer hosted events are usually in the C3 (located in the Reitz Union). The events can range in time and dress code. To find Employer Hosted Events, you can check them out on Gator CareerLink and follow our Instagram for updates!
Check out the dress code on Gator CareerLink for the specific event you want to attend, but it is always better to be over dressed than under dressed.
Post Showcase Interviews FAQ
Post-Showcase interviews are an opportunity for Employers to go ahead and connect with students. If a company is conducting Post-Showcase Interviews, you should hear from them either via email or phone call. So make sure you have your voicemail set up and are checking your spam folder!
Post-Showcase interviews can be held virtually or in-person. For those in-person interviews, they are held either at the Career Connections Center or in the O’Connell Center. If you get invited to a Post-Showcase Interview, be sure to confirm the time and location!
For most interviews, business professional is the best way to dress for interviews!
For Post-Showcase interviews, you can prepare by looking over our Mock Interview Guide and our Interviewing Strategies Guide. You can also access the Mock Interview Module on Gator CareerLink.
