Job Search

Starting a Career

The best way to make educated decisions regarding your future career is through gathering information.  Become a student of your chosen profession.  Listen to pod casts and Ted Talks, read books, or other sources of online career information. Join professional organizations that connect with your ultimate career aims.  If you are not sure which organizations are appropriate for your career field, consult with the Career Services Office or talk to one of your faculty members. Join these groups on LinkedIn and follow the discussions.  Learn as much as you can about language, news, new products and developments that may impact your professional field of choice.

The College of Business and Technology Office of Career Services has services and resources available to students and alumni, whether they are seeking that first job post-graduation or transitioning to a new position as a result of career change:

  • One-on-one job search strategy sessions;
  • Personal resume critique;
  • Mock interview sessions;
  • Handouts to assist with resume writing, networking, etc.
  • CBAT Career Fair and Networking Nights which offer opportunities for employer interface;
  • On-campus recruiting;
  • Internship/co-op programs, through the College of Business and Technology (current students enrolled in degree-seeking programs in the College);
  • Student chapters of professional organizations which offer interaction with professionals in the field;
  • Employer presentations, class visits, and panel discussions;
  • Interactions with alumni in the classroom and via College events. 
  • Career Coaching
  • Virtual Business & TechnologyJob Search Workshops
  • ETSU University Career Services (click here)
  • Glassdoor for Students

Connect

Reach out to the Career Services Office.  Make the connection and see how we can work together build career readiness.

Career Readiness Timeline

  • Freshman/Sophomore Years

    EXPLORE CAREERS

    • Conduct informational interviews.
    • Shadow professionals in their jobs.
    • Read, read, read gather all of the information that you can.
    • Visit career related and corporate web sites.
    • Review Occupational Outlook Handbook online.
    • Contact alumni regarding their jobs.
    • Attend career fairs to experience an event and become comfortable with the fair environment.

    • Consider enrolling in BADM 1000 (freshman year) or BADM 2000 (sophomore year) to explore careers and to learn about tool kit basics:  resumes, cover letter, and more.
  • Junior Year

    BUILD YOUR RESUME

    Think strategically about gaining relevant experience.  Can you lead, solve problems, demonstrate flexibility and manage change?

    • Secure an internship/co-op -- mission critical to your success!  
    • Volunteer perform tasks related to your career goals.
    • Track class projects that have a real world flavor:  Was there a real or hypothetical client?  Did you produce a deliverable to the client?
    • Attend company presentations to learn about business strategy and  corporate climate as well as what the employer has to offer you.
    • View a resume writing workshop online or see Melinda for assistance.
    • If you are an accounting major, attend Accounting Networking Night to obtain internship leads. Banking students should attend Banking Meet and Greet.  Digital Media students may find internship leads at their annual networking events each spring term. Check calendar for dates and additional information.
    • Attend College of Business & Technology Career Fairs for additional internship leads. Check calendar for dates and additional information.
    • Workshops:  Many job search workshops--resume writing, interviewing, cover letter writing, networking--are online under Job Search.
    • Volunteer and perform tasks related to your career goals.

    • If you are an accounting major, attend Accounting Networking Night to obtain internship leads. Finance and economics student should attend networking events as well.

    • Workshops:  Many job search tutorials and handouts on resume writing, interviewing, cover letter writing, networking are online under Handouts.
  • Senior Year/Graduate Final Year

    START YOUR CAREER:  Career Planning "Strategies for Success"

    1. Finalize and update your resume; email a copy to Melinda as a Word document. Meet with Melinda to make sure your resume tells "the story" it needs to tell. 
    2. Plan strategy regarding your Senior/Graduate Job Search with Business & Technology Office of Career Services, 309 Sam Wilson
    3. Check your email account and Handshake weekly to read career services updates regarding workshops, career fairs, jobs, campus interviews, internship/co-ops, and networking events. 
    4. Create your LinkedIn profile; make sure it is complete and use a professional head shot.
    5. Sign up for campus or virtual interviews!
    6. Attend employer information sessions.  Countless employers host information sessions on Handshake under “Events.”
    7. Attend meetings of professional organizations that track with your degree/major.
    8. Develop a spreadsheet to track employers contacted, date and type of contact, future action required.  Have you started networking as part of your job search strategy? 
    9. If your job search is stalling, meet with Melinda to discuss new strategies to revive your job search. 
    10. Attend the CBAT Career Fair. Do your homework to have a successful career fair experience.
    11. Keep updating your resume as you add new experiences and skills.  Make sure it is accomplishment driven.
    12. Consider BADM 4000, a 1 credit course designed to help you with your transition to life after college.

    All resources available to you as students are available to you as alumni of the College.  

  • After Graduation
    Explore opportunities for graduate school!  Visit the home page for ETSU's School of Graduate Studies for more information.

Career Readiness Tools

  • Job Shadowing

    Job Services and career readiness resources are available to students and alumni, whether exploring careers or seeking an internship or that first job post-graduation. Through observation, a job shadowing experience may provide you with insight into:

    • A typical day in the life a particular employee;
    • Hours of work;
    • Work flows;
    • Project management;
    • Employee interactions;
    • Corporate culture;
    • Management styles;
    • Team-based decision-making;
    • Other aspects of a particular work environment.

    When approaching an employer about the possibility of job shadowing, create a formal proposal addressing the following:

    • Your objective(s) for the job shadowing experience;
    • Your time frame for the shadowing experience--1 week, two weeks, or longer;
    • Proposed hours to be onsite;
    • What you hope to observe, learn;
    • Your contact information; attach a resume to your proposal, if possible;
    • An acknowledgement that the employer is not obligated to hire you--either as an intern or as a full-time employee.

    Don't forget to thank the employer for his/her time in evaluating your proposal.

  • Informational Interviews

    Conducting an informational interview can be an effective tool for networking regarding job/internship/co-op leads as well as for gathering career information. Most people love talking about their careers and sharing insights regarding academic preparation as well as gaining experience in your chosen field of study. Keep the following guidelines in mind as you think about conducting an informational interview:

    1. WHO? Who do you talk to? Alumni or professionals in your field
    2. WHAT? What do you discuss? Their jobs, job seeking strategies, resume critique, likes/dislikes of their chosen profession, a typical day in that field, academic preparation, etc.
    3. WHEN? Breaks, mutually convenient dates/times
    4. WHERE? Meet at their place of business, by phone, or Zoom.
    5. WHY? They like to share information regarding their careers--this makes a connection for you. In addition, you will
      1. Learn realities about the "real world of work;"
      2. Learn about different aspects of your chosen field;
      3. Learn whether your career choice is a good fit for you--or not;
      4. Learn strategies for entering your chosen field;
      5. Obtain an edge over other job seekers;
      6. Prepare for the job interview through research and practice.
    6. HOW? Prepare by doing your research on the individual's organization. Ask good questions. They will be impressed that you were prepared with thoughtful questions about their company, their industry, and their chosen career path.

    Contact the Business & Technology Career Services Office, faculty, or the ETSU Alumni Association for contact leads to interview. 

  • Interviews
    1. Please remember that most campus or virtual interviews are pre-screened. Pre-screened means that employers review resumes that are submitted as instructed to them for consideration and then make decisions regarding who they want to interview through this screening process.
    2. Just because you, the candidate, submit a resume does not mean that you will be granted an interview.
    3. Sometimes employers create their own interview schedules; sometimes they ask our team to do so.  Be sure to check your email during interview season. If CBAT Career Services is creating the interview schedule, students are contacted by ETSU email first for interview appointments. If you fail to respond to our emails to you, then we will call your cell phone, if your number is available.
    4. Be sure your phone voicemail is set up.  Be sure your voice mailbox is not full.
    5. Scheduling is first-come, first-served as students are contacted based on the order of names provided to CBAT Career Services by the employer.
    6. Many students receive interviews after they attend career fairs or networking nights.  If you do not attend, you miss out on interview opportunities.
    7. Follow employer instructions regarding interview consideration.  Many employers will ask you to apply online or on Handshake, even if you have given them a resume at a career fair. 
    8. If you cannot make your interview time, let the employer know.  Simply not showing up is unacceptable.
    9. Interview Preparation is available on Handouts for Students.  Prepare as if you are studying for a test.

Share