10 Ways to Maintain Job & Internship Search Momentum During Winter Break

If you have not yet secured a job or internship for next summer, you may be worried about fielding questions from family members during the holidays.

Isenberg’s Office of Career Success understands that you may be anxious about these conversations, and we want you to feel prepared to respond with a solid action plan for the coming weeks and months! We hope you are inspired by the thoughts and suggestions below:

1) You are not alone – Career Coaches will be available over winter break! Click here for instructions on scheduling a virtual appointment.

2) Employer recruiting will ramp up again at the start of the spring semester – learn more about virtual and in-person recruiting events and information sessions via the IConnect Calendar.

3) Participate in the UMass Boston Area Employers Internship Fair @ Mount Ida Campus on January 25th!

4) Consider a flexible virtual externship or micro internship.

5) Check out the multiple simulated work experiences (ranging from 1-7 hours each) with Fortune 100/500 firms being sponsored by Forage! View customized suggestions by selecting your major page on IConnect and clicking on “Gain Industry Skills and Experience.”

6) Brush up on your resume IQ by accessing the resources posted on the Resumes page of IConnect. Our newly updated Resume Guides include lots of helpful samples. We have also added tools to help you learn how to customize your resume for a specific job posting; how to “beat” an applicant tracking system; and how a resume evolves from first year through senior year.

7) Research indicates that 85% of jobs are found through networking. Not sure what to ask during an informational interview? Use the TIARA model to help structure and inspire career conversations with Isenberg/UMass alumni and other key professionals.

8) Did you know that LinkedIn profiles that are complete and keyword/industry-optimized receive more views? AND that 94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent? Check out Isenberg’s Networking and LinkedIn Guide as a starting place and follow up with a Career Coach meeting for additional ideas on how to make sure your profile is working for you.

9) Preparing for an interview? Sure, you can Google to learn about an industry – but you’ll get WAAAY better information if you use IBIS World! This industry research database provides both macro and micro information in robust Industry reports that will leave you feeling confident about answering any industry-related questions.

10) Access the Lightcast tool on IConnect to gain market insights that will assist you in your job or internship search. For example, use this tool to learn which employers are actively hiring for your desired occupation and view related job titles to help broaden your search criteria (refer to the Top Employers and Job Titles sections in the search results).

BONUS TIP: If you are a first year or sophomore seeking an internship, use keywords “freshman” or “sophomore” in your internship searches on Handshake and other job boards.

By Melissa Salva
Melissa Salva Executive Director, Undergraduate Employer Relations & Operations