How Will You Get There?
A successful job search requires a strategy. After you have established some career goals and built a list of target employers, develop your strategy. Job search strategies vary widely based upon which industries you are pursuing.
Overall, the best way to start is to begin researching your target companies, one by one. Read through their websites and gain an understanding of their businesses, products, and cultures. Use Vault.com and Hoovers.com. Search through periodical indexes available at the HBLL Library to find any recent milestones achieved by the employers. Look through materials the Career Center may have available on the firms. Be open to the information you learn. You may discover that you are no longer interested in working for a specific firm, or you may learn that there are additional companies you’d like to add to your target companies list.
Once you have a firm understanding of your target employer, reach out to others who have worked there. The Marriott School Alumni Database will allow you to search through specific employers and find alumni who may be able to help. When contacting alumni either via telephone or email let them know of your interest, ask them if you could setup a time to visit and ask several questions, and be grateful and courteous. Always have good questions prepared, throughout the recruiting process you are often evaluated more by the questions you ask than by the answers you give. Remember to employ the upmost courtesy when contacting alumni, as they are very busy and may assist you out of their commitment to the university.
BYU alumni at your target employers will be able to provide you insights as to the next best steps for pursuing that particular organization. One of these steps could include flying out at your own expense to their location for an informational interview.
In addition to alumni resources, the Career Center can be a great resource in helping you to find the right contacts to help you pursue your target companies. Set up an appointment with a counselor to discuss your options and see what school connections and resources may be available to you.
