Career Success Guide

The average job search takes 6 months, so start early!

Implement (SENIOR / 4TH YEAR)

It’s time to thrive and start the transition from student to UW-Stout Polytechnic alumnus. Employers are recruiting early, so be ready with polished materials, a clear career direction, and examples of your experiences. Preparation now builds your confdence and sets you up for a successful launch afer graduation. • Network with professionals in your targeted industry via Career Conference, LinkedIn or networking groups in the community. • Consider what you want in your next phase of life. Think about where you want to live, the kind of salary and benefts you need, the type of work environment and work schedule you prefer. • Actively apply for positions of interest using Handshake, Indeed.com and other online resources. The average time for a job search is 6 months, so start in the fall. • Continue to be an active member at UW-Stout Polytechnic, building your skills and developing your network. • Complete the First Destination Survey once you know what you are doing afer graduation. Action Items: • Set up automated saved search criteria in Handshake, and other job search engines, to receive weekly job updates. • Meet with a Career Coach to discuss your job search strategy and tailor your resume. • Attend Career Conference and schedule an on campus interview. • Update your LinkedIn profle to show you’re looking for a professional position. Tell everyone you know you are job searching. • Going to Graduate School? Complete graduate school applications in the fall.

Prepare/Focus (JUNIOR / 3RD YEAR)

Now is the time to pull it all together and put your skills and experiences to work. Getting a jump start on tailoring your resume, practice interviewing, or securing an internship ensures you are eliminating some of the pressure you might feel in your senior year. • Refect on your goals, refne if needed, and select activities that help you reach them. • Ask professors, employers, and co-op supervisors to provide letters of recommendation or to serve as a professional reference. • Develop your professional network by interfacing with employers and alumni at Career Conference and other networking events. • Use LinkedIn Learning to hone your networking skills. Action Items: • Practice interviewing with Big Interview or schedule a mock interview with a Career Coach. • Search and apply for a cooperative education/ internship experience. • Create a cover letter for a specifc job application and meet with a Career Coach to review it. • Create a list of professionals you have connected with at Career Conference, students organizations, or other career events. • Going to Graduate School? Research graduate school programs, review entrance requirements and complete any required exams over the summer.

Keep Going!

Career Services is here to help even afer you graduate! Meet with a Career Coach, utilize resources, and more. Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.

13