The Career Search Process

Figuring out what you want to do for the "rest of your life" is the hardest thing you will have to do as a student. Best case scenario is when what you study in college matches up directly with the job and career you land in after graduation. However, sometimes what you study and what you want to do professionally don't always line up.

In either scenario, a few appointments with a Career Coach can quickly help you identify which career path best aligns with your interests & also get you started in the process of searching for and landing your first professional internship or your first full-time job in that chosen career. This "Career Search" process is done by completing a series of different appointments with your Coach. Different types of appointments occur at specific phases of the process.

Coaching Appointments By Phase

Not sure which phase you are in? Not sure what type of appointment you should make next? Check out the descriptions below to learn which appointment you should make next. Remember ALL appointments must be scheduled through the Handshake platform.

Phase 1: Identifying Your Career

1. Career Exploration (Part 1) - This appointment is for any student seeking guidance in determining the best career path for them after graduation. Typically a career assessment on student interests is conducted and a follow-up appointment is held with the Career Coach to review results and determine next steps.
2. Career Exploration Debrief & Planning Session (Part 2)- This follow-up appointment is only for students who have completed a Career Exploration appointment and also completed a career assessment at the request of the Career Coach. Assessment results will be provided and career planning discussions with the student will begin.

Phase 2: Developing Your "Toolkit"

1. Resume Review - Have you developed the first draft of your resume or recently updated it? Is the template in the required Howard University approved template? In this meeting we will review your resume to ensure it's ready to be used in the on- campus recruiting process or can also be used for applying to an off campus position requiring a resume as part of the application process.
2. The Elevator Pitch - In this appointment we'll work on developing and fine-tuning the 90sec response you will give when someone says " Tell me a little bit about yourself."
3. LinkedIn/Handshake Profile Reviews - For students seeking help in setting up or fine-tuning their LinkedIn or Handshake profiles properly so they "support" their job search efforts

Phase 3: Finding Your Opportunities

1. Handshake Support - Handshake is THE PLATFORM for college students to get their jobs. Learn tips & tricks on how to effectively use it their internship or job search.
2. Internship Search Strategy - For Freshman, Sophomores & Juniors who need help in identifying professional summer internship opportunities in line with their desired career through on-campus recruiting or via off campus platforms. This is also for students seeking off-campus professional part-time internships to work during the school year.
3. Job Search Strategy - For Seniors who need help finding & getting professional full-time job opportunities in line with their desired career through on-campus recruiting or via off-campus platforms.
4. Cover Letter Review - These appointment require that you bring a copy of the job description & a draft of your cover letter.

Phase 4: How to ACE Your Interview

1. "Big Interview" - Learn about the platform where you can practice your interviewing skills before you schedule a "live" mock interview session with the Career Coach

2. "Live Mock Interview" - This appointment type is for students who want to strengthen or fine-tune their interviewing skills in preparation for an upcoming interview. Typically these occur after you have practiced on the "Big Interview" platform.

Phase 5: YOU GOT A JOB OFFER!!!

Offer Review, Negotiation & Acceptance - This appointment is for students who have received 1 or more job offers and need professional help in determining IF an offer should be negotiated and ultimately which offer they will accept.

How To Properly Decline Other Offers - This is a very important appointment that ALL students are expected to schedule as it is essential for the university to maintain positive corporate partnerships. There is a proper way to decline an offer and we expect all HU students to learn how to do this. Also for you as a new professional, properly decline an offer will enable you to maintain the network you worked so hard to establish during your search

Concluding Your Search - In this appointment you will learn essential steps on how to properly and professionally shut down your job search. CCPS will also gather key data points about your search for our records.