Job and Internship Preparation
Searching for a job or internship? Making a career change?
This can be a stressful and overwhelming process, but the key to landing a greatopportunity
is preparation! Job and internship preparation includes building your professional
network, writing and fine-tuning your resume and cover letter, and developing your
interview skills. These will all help you make a positive impression on potential
employers.
What is networking?
Networking is the intentional process of connecting with individuals in your desired or prospective career field. In its simplest form, it involves having a “career conversation” with someone for the purpose of exploring careers or job searching to help you answer important career-related questions.
- Explore careers and jobs
- Find a job
What are ways to network?
- Attend Employer Recruiting Events
- Career/Job Fairs
- Company Information Sessions
- On-Campus Recruitment Events
- Networking Events
- Create a LinkedIn account to connect with alumni or professionals
- Work on your professional development with LinkedIn Learning: Build on your skills
for your resume, network online and look into one of the 16,000 tutorials and courses
offered online.
Visit: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/activate - Get Involved
- Join a Professional Association
- Join an on-campus student club/organization
- Attend off-campus networking events or Meet-Ups
- Seek Mentorship
- Conduct Informational Interviews
- Connect with Faculty
- Use your personal networks
Watch this video for some additional tips and strategies for networking:
Your resume is a marketing tool which acts as a door opener and allows an employer
to assess your qualifications quickly in the prescreening process before interviews.
It's a concise illustration of your past experience, which grabs attention and gets
you an interview.
It is a critical marketing tool in your personal marketing campaign - which is what
the job search process really is. Your resume should be succinct, commanding and
truthful. It should emphasize skills, strengths and accomplishments.
To ace an interview, preparation is key! Here are some tips:
Before the Interview
- Get to know the business and position that you're interviewing for. Understand the requirements for the job so that you can effectively communicate how you're the best candidate.
- Take a look at the website and social media sites for the business. Familiarize yourself with their mission, products/services, location, size, current news, announcements, etc.
- Make sure you can answer the questions "What do you know about our company?" and "why are you interested in working for this company?"
- Be prepared to introduce yourself and give an overview of your relevant past experiences in about three minutes.
- Review the resume and cover letter you submitted and prepare yourself to elaborate on any experiences and skills you indicated.
- Brainstorm your past accomplishments and challenging situations.
- Practice your answers to common interview questions out loud. This is an important step that's often overlooked!
- Here are some common interview questions: Common Interview Questions
- Consider recording yourself on video to watch for your body language and verbal fillers (um, like, etc.)
- Complete a mock interview with Career Services or family/friends
- Most interviews end with a chance for you to ask questions
- Be prepared with thoughful questions in order to demonstrate your preparedness, interest in the position/company; and to help you determine whether the position is right for you. An interview is a two-way street to determine mutual fit.
- Here are some tips:
- Do not ask questions you could have found the answer to online.
- Allow the interviewers to offer their own personal perspectives. This will engage them and open up a two-way conversation.
- Business professional attire is generally expected at all interviews unless the employer indicates that business casual attire is acceptable. Make sure they are clean, and press your outfit ahead of time.
On the Interview Day
- Prepare in advance so you can relax the night prior to the interview and get plenty of sleep. Get clothing and any materials you're bringing ready the day before.
- Allow yourself extra time for traffic and parking. You do not want to be late!
- Check in 10-15 minutes early
- During this time, remember to take a breath!
- Here's a quick video example with tips:
- Take time to reflect on the interview. Write down any interview questions you can remember, notes of what you learned, key facts, and the interviewers’ names. You will be able to use these items to help prepare you if you get a second interview and for writing thank you notes.
Internships are learning opportunities that provide hands-on work experience connected
to a major or career path. An internship is designed to "test drive" a career, gain
practical work or research related experience, provide an in-depth look at a particular
career field and gain a better understanding of the industry.
Internships are an excellent way to...
- Learn what skills are required to successfully navigate a career choice
- Apply classroom concepts to real work life
- Develop and enhance communication, critical thinking, teamwork and other transferable skills
- Learn and develop professional work habits
- Understand corporate cultures and analyze different work settings
- Build your resume
- Network. Get a foot in the door!
- Build professional confidence
Check out this resource for how to get an internship: Glassdoor, How to Get an Internship
By participating in the for-credit internship program, Students can earn 1-4 CSU transferable units by completing an internship concurrently with an eligible work experience course during Fall and Spring semesters.
A maximum of 4 units can be earned during the semester. The units-to-
work hours conversion is as follows:
Units Earned = Total Semester Hours Worked
| Units Earned | Total Semester Hours Worked |
|---|---|
| 1 | 54 - 107 |
| 2 | 108 - 161 |
| 3 | 162 - 215 |
| 4 | 216+ |
Searching for a Job?
Another way to “test drive” a career is to find a job in that field or industry. Sometimes
internships are not available. By working in a similar job in the same field, you
still gain experience and a better understanding of the industry.
Off-Campus Jobs
The SCC Career Hub is a free online job & internship resource available to current
SCC students. Use your Self-Service/Canvas email login credentials to access the site.
Browse the latest job postings here
On-Campus Jobs
Interested in working on-campus? Find out more information about opportunities and
eligibility by visiting the On-Campus Job Placement website.
Other Job Search Resources
- EdJoin
- HireVetsFirst
- Monster
- Government Jobs
- Not a student - looking for employment at RSCCD (SAC or SCC)
- Interested in applying for a job at SCC or SAC? Visit the RSCCD website for more information.
DACA/Undocumented
- DACA and Employment
- Pre-Health Dreamers
- Information on Entrepreneurship and Freelance Work for Students who are Undocumented
- Life After College: A Guide for Undocumented Students by Immigrants Rising
- Dream Bar Association (Pre-Law)
- Human Rights Campaign: Workplace Information
- National Center for Transgender Equality: Workplace Rights
- Oregon State University Career Resources for LGBTQ Students
- Out for Undergrad (Career conferences for LGBTQ Undergraduates)
- Job Search Tips
- Remember, it is illegal for an interviewer to ask about your sexual orientationn or gender identity. The focus of interviews should be around your ability to perform the essential functions of the job rather than your sexual orientation or gender identity expression. It is your choice to disclose your sexual orientation or gender identity. This can happen during the interview, when the job is offered, in the workplace, or not at all.
- Ask questions such as “Can you tell me more about diversity in your organization and the initiatives that are already in place?” Their answer may provide you with the information you need to determine if the organization is LGBTQ+ friendly. Wear professional attire in accordance with your gender expression.
- Not sure if a company is LGBTQ+ friendly? Consider utilizing LinkedIn to find alumni at the organization and set up an informational interview. Ask about the culture, especially around diversity.
- Interviews
- Networking