Whether searching for an internship, co-op, or full-time position, the job search is not an entirely linear experience. However, it does involve a process of stages you can expect in order to prepare and carry out a successful search. 

Once you are familiar with the preparation guidelines and stages of the search process, check out tools and resources to support your search criteria and parameters. 

 

 

Guidelines

Set clear expectations and goals. Design and revisit your career plan often as you embark on your search. It is essential to identify outcomes and process through the steps to achieve a desired end result.

Organization is key to your search. Stay organized and be methodical by documenting each position you apply to: 

  • the role
  • the company
  • the timeframe of each interaction in the application process

TIP | Keep all information organized in one place, such as Excel or Google docs and update regularly. 

> Online Resource | The Muse - My Job Search Tracker Google sheet

The search process takes time. You can typically expect a 3 - 6 month search process if you are proactively progressing in the steps of the process outlined below. 

Carve out time in your daily schedule solely for the search so you can search for opportunities, document next steps, follow-up with company contacts, and further tailor application material. 

Quality applications and materials will set you apart from other applicants. Tailor your resume for your applications, prepare a customized cover letter, and find contacts to connect with at the organizations you are most curious about. 

Investment of the time and energy to customize your materials for specific companies and roles as well as making direct connections at those organizations will be much more effective and efficient than quick applying to a high volume of positions.

Actively communicate at each stage of the search process. Whether preparing your elevator pitch for an upcoming employer information session or engaging with alumni on LinkedIn, professional and active communication plays a vital role in the search process.

While it is important to be mindful of your communication tone and frequency, consistent communication will help you to demonstrate self-initiative and stand out among other candidates. 

Refer to sample messages and communication guidelines throughout this site for guidance. 

Search Process

In order to conduct a strong search for professional experience, it's helpful to know what you're searching for. Understanding personal interests, skills, values, and identities, along with requirements and qualifications for the role and industry of choice takes time to navigate and will be essential to direct your search. 

Begin by self-assessing these areas to inform your search for an internship, co-op, or full-time position:

> Values

> Career Readiness Competencies

> Experiences

> Identities

> Skills

For additional support, schedule a Career Coaching Appointment on the topic of Major + Career Exploration or Career Decisions. 

Prepare application materials for the roles you're interested in. 

While digital profiles are not typically required when applying to internship, co-op, and full time positions, it is helpful to establish a digital presence. 

  • LinkedIn 
  • e-Portfolio, GitHub, or other digital spaces that provide a sample or summary or your work

> Online Resources | Application Materials + Interview Prep

> Drop-In Career Coaching

  • Resume Assistance
  • Cover Letter Assistance
  • LinkedIn + Personal Branding Assistance

While it is fine to conduct a broad search, it is helpful to identify some parameters or criteria by which to focus your search. 

Consider focusing on a particular industry, role type, or location. This will help you

  • Concisely articulate your interests to others who may hope to help with your search
  • Market yourself to the employers you are interested in
  • Stay organized
  • Identify the most effective tools and resources for your search

TIP | Focus on more more than 10 - 15 organizations at one time.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Position descriptions only reveal a snapshot of information about the company or organization to which you may apply. Do your research in order to identify industries, organizations, and locations you want to target! 

Seek information such as

Industries

  • Industry outlook
  • Sample hiring organizations
  • Sample job titles
  • Location hubs
  • Routes to entry (e.g. security clearance, degree types)

Companies

  • Mission and values
  • Products and services
  • Organizational culture
  • Awards and achievements
  • Locations
  • Job titles
  • Parent companies and subsidiaries
  • Hiring practices for CPT, OPT work authorizations  

> International Students

> Identity-Based Resources 

> CDCR Career Events | Speak with company representatives at Employer Events, Career Fairs, 
    and Industry Days 

> Online Resources | Internship, Co-op, Job Search

 

Networking, more casually known as "building connections" or "relationship-ing" is essential in a job search. It is the active process of learning about and getting to know others with career interests in mind. 

Talk with people you know, attend CDCR recruiting events, and reach out to possible connections to learn about trends, perspectives, and opportunities in your desired field. 

Building connections is something that occurs continuously during your career as an Auburn Engineering student and throughout your life. Thus, it is not a linear step in the job search process but a tool to proactively and strategically engage as you explore and learn about possibilities, as well as to target your search and apply. 

> Networking Guidelines and Opportunities
> Career Conversations

> International Students
> Identity-Based Resources 

> Online Resources | Networking
> Drop-In Career Coaching

Once you've engaged in the preceding stages of the job search process, you're ready to apply and interview! 

CUSTOMIZE
As you identify job roles for which you plan to apply, you will use the job descriptions to customize your resume and cover letter materials uniquely to each position. This helps the artificial intelligence within Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) move your materials forward for review by human eyes. Next, it helps a reader to quickly and easily see how you are uniquely qualified for the job. 

APPLY 

Once your materials are customized and you have gathered any additional requested materials, submit your application! 

WAIT

Wait, what?

This is the stage you may not think about much until you arrive here. There are so many pieces involved in the preparation stage that are within your control and then once you submit the application, you rely on someone else to respond. 

What can you do while you wait? 

INTERVIEW

Congratulations! The wait is over after submitting your application and you've been invited to an interview. 

WAIT

Again? 

You will have done your part to prepare for and positively represent your candidacy at the interview. Now, it's time to wait for a response. 

What can you do while you wait? 

    • Don't forget to send your thank you note(s)! This is your chance to follow up immediately. 
    • Based on information shared during the interview, you will hopefully have an idea of when you can expect to hear back from the company. If that date comes and goes, it is appropriate to send a professional follow-up inquiry. 

      The Muse | Advice on when to follow up at each point in the search >> 

After navigating each stage of the job search process, you will be hopeful to receive a job offer! 

Once you receive an offer, there are a variety of factors to consider in the decision to confidently accept or decline. 

> Guidelines to Navigate Offers 

> International Students

> Online Resources | Salary Negotiation and Finances

> CDCR Career Coaching Appointments

  • Career Decisions
  • Full-Time Job Offer + Salary Negotiation
  • Navigating Engineering Co-op + Internship Offers

Federal Jobs

If you seek to contribute to national security efforts that protect our country or have a willingness to impact our community and surrounding communities by working collaboratively with companies and contractors, you may be well positioned for roles in the federal government. 

A full-time job search within the federal government takes time and includes numerous steps to follow, similar to an industry job search. Review the content below and be prepared to engage in upcoming career development programs, employer engagements, and industry days as part of your search. 

Important facts about the federal hiring process

  • The federal government has a standard job application. Your resume is your application
  • Hiring agencies use the job announcement to describe the job and list the required qualifications and responsibilities
  • After applying, the hiring agency uses the information in your resume to verify if you have the required qualifications stated in the job announcement
  • Once the hiring agency has determined who is qualified, they may use other assessments such as interviews or testing to determine the best qualified applications

> USAJOBS Federal Job Application Process 

 

Background Investigations

Applicants complete a basic background investigation of criminal and credit histories as part of the hiring process. This investigation is intended to ensure applicants are "reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and loyal to the United States." 

> Background checks and security clearances

Security Clearances

Security clearances are obtained through the federal agency hiring the candidate. Individual candidates cannot pursue a security clearance on their own. When a position offer is extended, it is contingent on successfully obtaining a security clearance. There are a series of forms to prompt the extensive background check. Background checks and security clearance forms can be found through the Office of Personnel Management.

Types of security clearances

  • Confidential | Provides access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization. It must be reinvestigated every 15 years.
  • Secret | Confidential clearance, but must be reinvestigated every 1- years. 
  • Top Secret | Confidential clearance, but must be reinvestigated every five years.
  • Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) | An access program that gets "added on" to the clearance.

Timing of security clearances

According to the Partnership for Public Service, final clearances are usually processed and adjudicated in less than 90 days. 

Interim Security Clearance | If a hiring office requests it, an applicant may be granted an interim security clearance within a few weeks after submitting a complete security package. With an interim clearance, classified work can be performed but in a temporary capacity until a background investigation has been completed.

This process considers factors that could cause conflicts of interest and place individuals in a position of choosing between commitment to the United States and another loyalty. The focus for this assessment is full disclosure, not reaching perfection. Some aspects of the clearance assessment include: 

  • You will be asked to list all foreign activities and contacts with the concern for dual loyalty or potential for coercion by a foreign entity. 
    • Foreign activities | financial interests such as ownership interests in a foreign business or foreign bank accounts
    • Foreign contacts | foreign nationals with whom you or a spouse / partner have had close or continuing contact with in the last seven years and are bound by affection, influence, common interests and/or obligation
  • The security clearance process evaluates the whole person, weighing a number of variables.
  • Mitigating factors are considered such as whether the candidate voluntarily reported information, sought assistance and followed professional guidance, or demonstrative positive changes in behavior. Security clearance will likely be denied if the information available shows a recent or recurring pattern of questionable judgment, irresponsibility or emotionally unstable behavior. 
  • A mental health diagnosis, treatment and counseling is not a reason to deny or revoke a security clearance. In fact, the application forms now specifically state: “seeking or receiving mental health care for personal wellness and recovery may contribute favorably to decisions about your eligibility.”

The government uses 13 guidelines for making individual assessments on whether to grant clearance.

As you develop application materials for the federal job search process, resumes are the primary way to articulate relatable experiences and transferable skillsets to prospective employers. Review the job announcement and consider duties and qualifications, how to apply and how you will be evaluated. Ensure you meet the requirements, including level and amount of experience, education and training. 

Federal Resume Components
  • Important contact information (address, email and phone number)
  • Dates, hours, level of experience and examples of each work experience
  • Include volunteer work and roles in community organizations
  • Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments
  • Length of resume can vary; you are not limited to a one page resume, as most industry roles recommend. Be very detailed in your experiences, contributions, and what impact you provided for each experience
Tips and Strategies
  • Customization is key. Organize your resume to highlight relevant experiences and skillsets, using similar terms and addressing every required qualification. Reverse chronological order is ideal in relation to section and experiences. 
  • Paragraph or bullet point format is applicable and use plain language. Avoid acronyms and terms that are not easily understood and be concise.

USAJobs is the Federal Government's official employment website, connecting job seekers with federal employment opportunities across the United States and around the world. 

Intelligence agencies like the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) do not post on USAJobs and ask for different information than a federal resume.