The Job Hunt in San Francisco

If you’ve recently graduated and are looking for a job in San Francisco, here are some tips to aid your job hunt. In writing this blog, I referred a lot to resources presented by WetFeet, both on their website and the books and information we have in the office. The resources I used online were all free and any students/almuni are welcome to browse our book selection.

When searching for a job in a major city like San Francisco, a couple of questions you should be asking yourself are:

• What are the major industries located in San Francisco?
•  According to WetFeet in 2006, the major industries in SF were advertising and public relations, Biotechnology, Consulting, Education, Financial Services and Insurance, Healthcare, Information Technology, Law, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail Trade, Tourism and Hospitality, and Venture Capital. Of course, when looking to break into any industry, especially in a new city, research is key to getting a foot in the door. Knowing who the big dogs are, their mission statements, their goals, is vital to writing your resume and cover letter if you’re thinking of applying for a job there. This information is free and flowing, so start researching.

•  What level/areas of education are needed to obtain well-paying jobs?
•  For most well-paying jobs, higher education is key. That means a masters-level education is highly valued, but extensive relevant experience is sometimes comparable as well. That means that while you’re in school getting your undergrad degree, slaving away at all those unpaid internships really does pay-off. 

•  Do your application materials a true reflection of how good a candidate you are?
•  An up-to-date, clean resume is often times the first point of contact between an applicant and a hiring manager. The first impression you make is crucial, so make sure that your resume is as stellar as possible. Also, even if the job posting doesn’t ask for a cover letter, write one anyway. For more information about how to write an awesome resume and cover letter, visit our office, check out our website, or call us. See- we make it easy for you!

Best of luck,
Seghel

Helpful Literature

Hey guys! Are you feeling like you lack direction? Here at the Career Services Center, we offer some great literature to students/graduates who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Feel free to come in any time between 9am-5pm Monday through Friday to look at them. The only downside is that you can't take them home with you. Here's a list of some of my favorites:

50 Ways to Get Hired
The Overnight Job Change Strategy
I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This
How to Get Your First Job and Keep It
Job Hunting in San Francisco
150 Best Companies for Liberal Arts Grads
Vault College Career Bible

Good luck, and have a great weekend!
-Seghel

This Could Be You

Hey everyone, I hope this post finds you well. I just posted a video introducing Ankit Chovatia. He's a awesome guy who graduated in May 2010 and is set up with a schweet job because he used our services. See for yourself!

Have a good day!

Work-Study Debunked

Work-study is a bit of a mystery, I know.  In fact, a large percentage of freshmen who come through our office ask about it, thinking that work-study is controlled through our office.  Work-study is actually a federal grant that’s handed out based on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results, which means that you gotta talk to the One Stop Office in Lone Mountain (415-422-2020).  All financial aid inquires are handled by One Stop. 

Most departments on campus prefer to hire students who have been granted work-study packages.  (You can also see which departments on campus only hire students with work-study when you search for on-campus jobs on the Student Employment website.)  Unfortunately, not every student who submits a FAFSA gets a grant.  However, if you have been granted work-study, make sure you start hunting for an on-campus job STAT.  There is a cut-off date sometime in October in the Fall semester (and probably sometime in February or March in the Spring semester) by when you must get a job or forfeit your work-study grant.

Getting a job on campus is highly competitive, so you need to be prepared with a stellar resume and cover letter, not to mention some great interviewing skills.  We can help you develop your job application materials and interviewing skills at the Career Services Center.  Just come on by!   

See you then!
Seghel  

We're Still Open!

Ahoy there!  Hope you’re all having a good summer.

I just wanted to remind you guys that the Career Services Center IS open during the summer!  We are open from 9am-5pm Monday- Friday.  You can make appointments with counselors, or just come in during Drop-In Hours from 11am-1pm if you just have a quick question.



Hope to see you soon!
Seghel