Job & Internship Search
Looking for a job or internship but aren’t sure where to begin? The SUCCEED Job Search Model below walks you through each step of the search process. Visit the Career Development Center (CDC) Internships page for additional information about internships, including how to receive academic credit and internship scholarship opportunities.
SUCCEED in Landing Your Dream Job or Internship
Listed below are important elements of an effective job search process, and dedicating time to each will give you an edge in landing your dream job or internship.
Learn how to schedule an appointment with a CDC counselor for further assistance with any part of your job and internship search.
Conducting a job/internship search can be challenging, and having the right attitude is essential to success. To put yourself in a positive frame of mind for the job search process, it’s important to set realistic expectations and develop a growth mindset.
Set Realistic Expectations
Did you know that it takes the average college graduate 3-6 months to land their first job after graduation (University of Washington, 2021)? If you were expecting to transition seamlessly from college one week to a full-time job the next, you are likely setting yourself up for disappointment.
The job/internship search process takes time and ensuring that your expectations are realistic will help you stay positive. Keep in mind that this process will be faster for candidates who:
- Devote significant time to their job search
- Apply for many positions
- Tailor their resume and cover letter for each opportunity
- Have more relevant experience
- Are flexible regarding job type, company, pay, location, and other factors
Develop a Growth Mindset
A person with a growth mindset believes they have the ability to improve in any area of life through hard work. This type of mindset is particularly valuable when it comes to the job search, which can sometimes feel overwhelming or discouraging.
A person with a fear of interviewing might come to the conclusion that they’ll never be able to get a job, but that same individual with a growth mindset will devote the time and energy needed to improve their interviewing skills because they know improvement is always possible. Approaching your job search with this type of growth orientation will help you to believe in yourself and put in the effort needed to reach your career goals.
For more in-depth information on developing a growth mindset, view the Maintain a Resilient Attitude section of the CDC Career Preparation page.
Industries may vary in how they recruit and hire candidates, so it's important to connect with people in your chosen field who can offer insight into industry norms and practices.
Resources for Researching Industries
Utilize the resources below to become familiar with specific hiring practices in your field and make your search as effective as possible.
Professors
Attend your professors’ office hours to learn about their professional experience and gain insight into industries in which they’ve worked.
Informational Interviews
One of the best ways to learn about careers you are considering is to conduct informational interviews with professionals in jobs or companies that interest you. Though it's helpful to start gathering preliminary information about your industry of interest online, informational interviews allow you to take your research to the next level by learning directly from people working in your desired field(s). Learn how to request an interview and what questions to ask on the CDC Informational Interviews page.
Information Sessions
An Information Session is a presentation given by an employer to provide you with details about the various career paths and benefits offered by their company. This can be a great opportunity to learn about hiring practices in a specific organization or industry. View upcoming Information Sessions on the CDC Events page.
Industry Speaker Series
The CDC offers Industry Speaker Series throughout the year where employers from a specific industry are invited to share career insights and professional experiences within their field. Gain valuable knowledge and tips from industry experts. View upcoming Industry Speaker Series on the CDC Events page.
CareerShift
CareerShift is a job search and career management tool that enables you to conduct targeted job searches and research companies’ contact information for networking purposes. View instructions for accessing CareerShift on the CDC CareerLINK page.
CandidCareer
Search thousands of videos from CSULB alumni and other professionals in a variety of fields to gain industry information and learn what a typical workday is like in your profession(s) of interest. View instructions for accessing CandidCareer on the CDC CareerLINK page.
Looking for a position takes time and effort. To conduct an effective job/internship search, it’s important that you create a realistic job search plan. To do so, consider the following:
Where will you look for positions?
While it is recommended that you use multiple job boards, don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to juggle dozens of sites. Try out different options and decide on a few you like. Visit the CDC Interest and Identity Resources page to research industry-specific job boards relevant to your search.
When will you apply for positions?
One of the best ways to set yourself up for a successful job and internship search is to create structure. This may involve creating a schedule for yourself (e.g., applying for jobs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM) and/or setting goals (e.g., committing to applying to three positions per week). Make sure that any schedules or goals you create are realistic given your other commitments.
Your resume is often your first opportunity to make a good impression with an employer. Be sure to create a resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills, education, and experience, and adapt it for each position to which you apply. Visit the CDC Resumes & Cover Letters page for guidance on creating an effective resume.
Employers are looking for candidates who can effectively communicate their interest in and qualifications for the position. In a competitive job market, it is essential that you invest time and effort in preparing and practicing for interviews. Visit the CDC Interviewing page for in-depth information on interview preparation.
Professional networking is a process of building relationships and exchanging information throughout your career journey. Networking can take place both formally (e.g., attending a job fair or scheduling an informational interview with a professional in your field) or informally (e.g., grabbing coffee with a classmate you don’t know or talking to others at a party about their career interests). Developing relationships with others in your field(s) of interest can help you gain valuable professional insight and even potentially find a mentor.
Additionally, networking can be extremely helpful in your job search process. Research has shown that 70-85% of jobs are filled through networking (Payscale.com, 2017). This means that building and sustaining relationships with professionals in your field will allow you to maximize your career opportunities.
Ready to get started? Follow the recommendations below to build an effective networking strategy.
Conduct Informational Interviews
One of the best ways to build professional relationships and learn about careers you are considering is to conduct informational interviews with professionals in jobs or companies that interest you. Learn how to request an interview and what questions to ask on the CDC Informational Interviews page.
Seek out a Mentor
A mentor is a professional committed to supporting and guiding you in your academic and career development. Some students find mentors on their own while others choose to participate in a formal program where they are paired with alumni or other professionals. The CSULB Beach Nexus Spring Mentoring Program is open to students from all majors each spring semester. You may also want to contact your major department regarding additional mentor programs.
Connect with Employers
The Career Development Center offers a number of opportunities each semester for you to connect with employers. CDC Events include Job Fairs, Information Sessions, and Industry Speaker Series and provide a chance to meet employers interested in recruiting and supporting CSULB students.
Create an Elevator Pitch
Whenever you’re meeting an employer, the best way to make a good impression is to spend time in advance deciding what you want to say. What do they need to know about you that will help them understand what you have to offer? This information typically includes a brief overview of your professional and educational accomplishments, skills and career goals and is called an elevator pitch. The name elevator pitch comes from the idea that the information you share should be brief enough to present during a brief elevator ride (about 30 seconds), which is similar to the amount of time you have to talk to a recruiter at a job fair.
An elevator pitch consists of three parts:
- Who You Are:
- Your Name
- Your Education/Employment Status (major and year in school or current job title)
- Something Unique About You (student athlete, study abroad experience, honors you’ve received, etc.)
- What You Offer:
- Relevant Experience/Achievements (jobs, internships, class projects, leadership roles, etc.)
- Skills You Bring (skills you want to emphasize such as being a quick learner or great with people, with an example of how you’ve used those skills)
- What You Want:
- Your Goal from the Conversation (the kind of opportunities you are seeking and how you believe you can make a contribution)
Sample Elevator Pitch:
Hello, my name is Anita Jobs. I am a junior at CSULB working towards a degree in Biology. My experience emphasizes research and testing from a variety of backgrounds. As part of the BUILD program, I designed, conducted, and interpreted the results for a cellular laboratory experiment. Through my volunteer research work at a hospital, I learned to communicate patiently and effectively with the hospital staff and patients. In addition, I currently serve as the committee chair for the Student Chapter of the American Society for Microbiology where I am currently organizing a fundraising event for Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts. I am interested in working as a cellular biologist intern for a forward-thinking research team where I can utilize my laboratory, analytical, organization, and communication skills.
Keep in mind that your elevator pitch is not a speech that you will recite to employers word for word. Think of it more as an outline of information you want to share. To use your elevator pitch effectively, you must be so comfortable with it that it sounds natural when speaking to others.
Resources for Networking
Utilize these resources to being building your professional network.
LinkedIn is the leading social network for job seekers, professionals, and businesses.
Beach Nexus
Beach Nexus is CSULB’s exclusive online mentoring and professional network that connects alumni, students and community.
Your presence on LinkedIn and social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook is part of your professional identity and can impact how others see you. Make sure any online content viewable by employers portrays you in a professional manner.
Resources for Building Your Online Presence
The following resources can help you establish your professional identity.
LinkedIn is the leading social network for job seekers, professionals, and businesses.
Beach Nexus
Beach Nexus is CSULB’s exclusive online mentoring and professional network that connects alumni, students and community.
Job and Internship Search Resources
Looking for a job or internship? The following resources will connect you with current opportunities at CSULB and beyond.
CareerLINK Job Board
The CareerLINK Job Board offers both on- and off-campus jobs and internships from employers looking to hire CSULB students and alumni. View instructions for accessing the CareerLINK Job Board on the CDC CareerLINK page.
The College Job & Internship Feeds below display active CareerLINK postings targeted to each of CSULB’s seven colleges.
- College of the Arts Job & Internship Feed
- College of Business Job & Internship Feed
- College of Education Job & Internship Feed
- College of Engineering Job & Internship Feed
- College of Health & Human Services Job & Internship Feed
- College of Liberal Arts Job & Internship Feed
- College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics Job & Internship Feed
CareerShift
CareerShift is a job search and career management tool that enables students to conduct targeted job searches and research companies’ contact information for networking purposes. View instructions for accessing CareerShift on the CDC CareerLINK page.
GoinGlobal
GoinGlobal is a resource for both international and domestic students. GoinGlobal provides employment information for a variety of countries, H1B visa search engine, access to jobs and internships in the US and abroad and more. View instructions for accessing GoinGlobal on the CDC CareerLINK page
Jobs on Campus
- CareerLINK Job Board
- 49er Shops Jobs
- Associated Students, Inc. Jobs
- CSULB Research Foundation Jobs
- University Library Jobs
- Jobs @ the Beach
Internship Resources
Visit the CDC Internships page for additional information about internships, including how to receive academic credit and internship scholarship opportunities.
Interest and Identity Resources
Visit the CDC Interest and Identity Resources page to find job boards based on affinity groups, industries and populations. Please note that these external sites are not created or maintained by the CDC and we are not responsible for the content presented.
Employment Scams
Protect yourself from being caught in an employment scam designed to elicit money or personal information by educating yourself on what scams look like. Be cautious of job postings or emails from potential employers that do the following:
- Request money or sensitive personal information
- Sound too good to be true
- Use a generic email address (such as @gmail.com) rather than a company email address
- Have spelling errors or lack a professional tone
Read CSULB Phishing 101 for additional tips on how to avoid scams. If you feel unsure about the legitimacy of an email, you may forward it to alert@csulb.edu.
All positions on CareerLINK are reviewed before they are posted, but if you suspect that a job posting may be fraudulent, please contact the Career Development Center.
Plan Your Future
Your Job and Internship Search is one step of the journey to achieving your career goals. See the entire career development process on the CDC Plan Your Future page.
