Industry/NP Job Search Cycle

Education Portfolios and Career Services
School of Education - University of Wisconsin-Madison
B150 Education Building - 1000 Bascom Mall - Madison, WI 53706
Monday - Friday 7:45- 4:30 ~ 608-262-1755

The Job-Search Cycle
(for non-teaching majors)

The cycle of preparing for the job search, applying for jobs and following up on your application status will be an important part of your work life, not only for your first job but also for those in the future. Let's look at the main steps in the cycle:

1.	PREPARATION
	Assess self, education, experience, and identify goals: What are your career goals? What type of environment do you prefer to work in? Where do you want to be in five years? Where do you want to live, and what life style do you want to maintain? Research information on your industry and your chosen career. A great source is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other on-line sources include Career Magazine's on-line tips for career planning, the UW System career guidance help page or the University of North Carolina-Wilmington's site: What can I do with a major in...? Check out career resources available at EPCS and other sites on campus, including the 3rd floor Career Collection at UW-Madison Helen C. White College Library or the UW-Madison Student Job Center and other campus career offices. Prepare Materials (Resume, Portfolio, Letters)
2.	GENERATE JOB LEADS
	Locate information sources and conduct informational interviews Research resources from internet, publications, EPCS, national or local newspapers Make contacts through family, friends, neighbors, professors, EPCS, co-workers, industry associations
3.	APPLY FOR JOBS
	Send out letters, resumes and prepare portfolio Compile references Complete applications
4.	INTERVIEWS
	Prepare for interviewing Participate actively in interviews Communicate clearly during interviewing Ask questions during interviews
5.	ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
	Send thank-you letters to all interviewers Notify references they may be contacted
6.	EVALUATE JOB OFFERS
	Which offer most closely aligns with career goals? (location, salary, advancement opportunities)
7.	ACCEPT OFFER
	Send thank-you to references Notify EPCS
8.	RECYCLE
	Seeking new challenges, commence new job search, starting job-search cycle again

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