Finding a job
in an online
virtual world
SANDY BROWN
CAREER SERVICES CENTER

Career Services Center is Operating Remotely!
YOU CAN SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS 8AM -5PM BY CALLING 360-650-3240 OR
EMAILING CAREERS@WWU.EDU OR FILLING OUT THE APPOINTMENT FORM.
HTTPS://WWW.WWU.EDU/CAREERS/FORM_APPOINTMENTS.SHTML
OPTIONS FOR VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS ARE:
ZOOM, SKYPE, TEAMS, EMAIL, OR TELEPHONE
HTTPS://WWW.WWU.EDU/CAREERS/INDEX.SHTML
WE OFFER:
CAREER COUNSELING
RESUME REVIEWS
ONLINE CAREER PLANNING AND JOB SEARCH TOOLS

Old Job Search
vs
New Job Search
OLD JOB SEARCH-Reactive
1) view open jobs
2) Pick jobs of interest
3) Send in resumes
4) get called for interviews
NEW JOB SEARCH-Proactive
1) Decide what you want to do (may change over time)
2) Determine where you could work
3) Establish target companies
4) Establish contacts/networking for companies/agencies

HIDDEN JOB
MARKET
80% of jobs are not posted
on job boards or company
websites
Companies are
restructuring their hiring
practices in this crisis

VIRTUAL NETWORKING AND THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET
WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT NOW?
WE Connect: a platform for students to network and find mentorship with WWU
alumni. When you join as a student, you will be able to expand your network
and find WWU alumni from all over the world!
LinkedIn-network with WWU Alumni
Create an account in Viking Career Link-our job and internship database
NEW PLATFORM COMING IN APRIL! HANDSHAKE!!!

WHAT DO I SAY TO POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS?
Find examples of LinkedIn requests to connect on our
website under ‘Cover Letters’.
A colleague
A new colleague
Someone you know casually
A recruiter
An alumni

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Meeting directly with people working in the industry to obtain concrete career information.
The benefits:
Ask questions about the industry, work environment, day to day tasks
Practice talking with professionals and establishing helpful contacts for future networking.
REVIEW OUR WEBSITE ON INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS:
UNDER ‘STUDENTS & ALUMNI>INTERVIEW PREP

To succeed in the COVID19 WORLD
The more you learn about the new job landscape the more
confident and in control you will feel

Tips to navigate your job search during
COVID-19.
Be ready for the hiring process to take longer than usual.
Expect to apply for five to 10 times the number of jobs that you had planned to before the COVID-19
pandemic.
Set aside time each day to search and apply for jobs. Finding a job is a job.
Keep your online profile updated.
Make sure your social presence reflects you in the best light.
Use online job search sites such as Handshake, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor.(set job alerts)
Be willing to take a temporary job to demonstrate your abilities.
Tailor your cover letter and resume to the specific job for which you are applying.

Key skills employers want to see on
student's resumes
1. Problem-solving skills
2. Ability to work on a team
3. Strong work ethic
4. Analytical/quantitative
5. Communication (written)
6. Leadership
7. Communication (verbal)
8. Initiative
9. Detailed oriented
10. Technical
Source: Job Outlook 2020 National Association of Colleges and Employers

History Skills and Careers
SKILLS
Problem-Solving/Analytical
Written & Oral Communication
Research & Data Analysis
Develop and Market Ideas
Interpersonal/Cross-Cultural
Understanding of Community Needs
Keen Observation
University of Texas at Austin:
http://www.careerservices.txstate.edu/resources/o
nlinepublicationsandresourcescenter/whatcanidowi
ththismajora-z.html
CAREERS
Researcher
Federal/State/Local Government
Education/Teaching
International Affairs
Health Services
Business
Media
DePaul University:
https://resources.depaul.edu/career-center/majors-
careers/career-guides-by-
major/Documents/Political%20Science.pdf

COVID IN DEMAND SKILLS
“Reskilling”
Adaptability and Flexibility
Tech Savviness
Creativity & Innovation
Critical Thinking
Leadership
Virtual Interviewing Skills
Working From Home Professionalism- strong communication, collaboration, time management,
meeting deadlines, self motivation.

WHO’S HIRING?
Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/12/18/industri
es-thriving-during-the-pandemic/?sh=15d8b51f7a03
LinkedIn
 https://www.linkedin.com/feed/news/heres-whos-hiring-right-now-4525187/
FLEXJOBS-GIG/CONTRACT/PROJECT
https://www.flexjobs.com/guide-freelance-gig-job-platforms
The eight best sites to find gig jobs in 2020

JOB IDEAS
CAMPUSPOINT STAFFING AGENCY:
Students can create an account at https://www.campuspoint.com/Home
GOVERNMENT JOBS
AMERICORPS- Federal program for people/new graduates wanting to make a difference in
Check out their website to learn about the programs!
FEDERAL JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
Pathways programs-USAJOBS.GOV
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Going Global
International Opportunities page on our website

MORE JOB/INTERNSHIP RESOURCES
What Can I do With This Major?- https://www.wwu.edu/careers/index.shtml
https://www.jobmonkey.com/ “Coolest Jobs On Earth”
https://www.internqueen.com/ Tons of information on Internships and Career Planning
https://www.idealist.org/en/ Nonprofit across the globe
https://www.indeed.com/ A staple job search site
TIP!-TYPE IN ‘VIRTUAL OR REMOTE’

Thank you!

Remember!
We can help you
with every step
along this path