Job/Internship Search Guide

Most job and internship searches take 3–6 months; competitive markets can take 6–9 months, so begin earlier than you think you need to.

Research hiring timelines for your industry at least 6 months before you plan to apply. Some fields (e.g., accounting, government) recruit on fixed cycles months in advance.

Suggested Timeline

Before applying, take time to define what you’re looking for. A focused search will save time and help you target the right opportunities.

Start by asking yourself:

• What type of opportunity am I looking for right now?
  • Internship
  • Part-time job
  • On-campus job
  • First full-time position
  • Seasonal or temporary position
• What kind of work energizes me?
• What skills do I want to use or develop?
• What industries or career paths interest me?
• What type of work environment helps me do my best?
• Do I prefer a fast-paced, flexible, structured, collaborative, or independent work setting?
• What values matter to me in an organization?

Helpful resources:

• Use Focus2 (self-assessments) to explore your interests and personality preferences.
• Use What Can I Do With This Major? to explore career paths connected to your major.
• Schedule an appointment with a career counselor in Spartan Connect for personalized guidance.

Having your materials ready will help you apply quickly and confidently when opportunities open. Before applying, prepare:

• A tailored resume for each job or internship you apply to. 
• A targeted cover letter when required or recommended.
• A revised and improved resume and cover letter using Hiration before submitting.
• Completed and polished LinkedIn and Handshake profiles. 
• A portfolio, website, writing sample, GitHub, or work samples, if relevant to your field.
• A list of references or recommenders, if requested.
• A professional introduction email or LinkedIn message for networking, employer outreach, and follow-up.
• Practice interview responses using Hiration for industry-specific mock interviews.
• A few thoughtful questions to ask employers during interviews.

A strong search is focused. Instead of applying randomly, identify the roles, employers, and industries that match your interests and qualifications.

Search Strategically

• Identify common entry-level job titles in your field, such as assistant, coordinator, associate, analyst, trainee, specialist, technician, intern, or fellow. 
• Use job descriptions to learn which skills, tools, and experiences employers want.
• Search employer career pages directly, not just job boards.
• Set up profiles and job alerts on multiple job boards so you can apply soon after new roles are posted, rather than waiting until the deadline.
• Use the LinkedIn Alumni Tool to see where alumni from your major work and what job titles they hold.

Use Multiple Job Search Tools

• SJSU Handshake for internships, jobs, on-campus roles, career fairs, and employer events.
• Labor Market Insights to explore job titles, in-demand skills, hiring trends, and top employers by region. 
• General job boards, such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, and check employer websites for additional postings. 
• Field-specific job boards, such as Idealist, USAJobs, GovernmentJobs, professional associations, and other industry-specific sites.

Build Relevant Experience

Internships and part-time jobs are not the only ways to gain relevant experience. Also consider:

• Volunteering.
• Joining a Recognized Student Organization.
• Taking on a leadership role.
• Participating in research or service learning.
• Completing class projects connected to your career goals.
• Completing virtual job simulations through platforms such as Forage.
• Freelancing, tutoring, peer mentoring, or helping with campus/community projects.

Networking is about learning from people, building relationships, and discovering opportunities. These conversations can help you explore career paths, learn about industries, and get advice from people in your field. 

An informational interview is a short conversation with someone who works in a role, organization, or industry you want to learn more about. The goal is to learn, not to ask for a job.

How to Set One Up

• Clarify what you want to learn before reaching out.
• Find contacts through your network, such as alumni, faculty, staff, classmates, family contacts, student organizations, or referrals. 
• Use the LinkedIn Alumni Tool to find people in roles or industries that interest you.
• Not everyone will respond. If you send 10 messages, you might hear back from 2.
• Ask for a short conversation, usually 20-30 minutes.
• Send a brief and specific outreach message:
  “Hi [Name], I’m an SJSU student studying [major/program]. I’m interested in learning more about your career path as a [role]. Would you be open to a brief 20-minute conversation?” 

Questions to Ask

• How did you get into your current role or field?
• What does a typical day or week look like?
• What skills are most important in your work?
• What do you enjoy most about your role?
• What is challenging about the field?
• What advice do you have for students preparing for this career?
• Are there organizations, job boards, or resources you recommend?

After the Conversation

• Send a thank-you message within 24 hours that mentions something specific you appreciated from the conversation.
• Follow through on any advice they share, then send a brief update to keep the relationship going. 
• Stay connected by engaging with their LinkedIn posts, congratulating milestones, sharing relevant resources, or checking in occasionally.

Tip: Use the Preparing Your Professional Pitch worksheet to develop and practice your pitch out loud.

Make the Most of Career Fairs

Career fairs and other employer connection events are a great way to meet employers, learn about opportunities, and make a strong first impression. Review the Making the Most of Career Fairs checklist to prepare before, during, and after the fair.

Treat your job or internship search like an ongoing project. Set weekly goals such as:

• Check job boards 1–2 times per week; set up email alerts so you don’t miss new postings.
• Submit 2–5 tailored applications per week, depending on your schedule and the quality of matches.
• Reach out to 3–5 people per week for networking or informational interviews.
• Attend employer events, workshops, or career fairs when available.
• Spend time each week improving your resume, LinkedIn profile, or interview skills.

Use the Application Tracking Worksheet to log employers, deadlines, status, and notes.

Follow up professionally:

• Wait about 3 weeks after the application deadline before following up (unless the posting says otherwise).
• If a contact is listed, send a polite email expressing continued interest and asking about the hiring timeline.
• If you don’t hear back after one follow-up, don’t continue contacting them. Focus your energy on new applications.

Searching for a job or internship takes time. Rejection and silence from employers are normal parts of the process. To stay motivated:

• Focus on what you can control: your materials, search strategy, networking, and preparation.
• Celebrate wins, such as submitting a strong application or getting an interview.
• Adjust your strategy if you are not getting responses.
• Ask for feedback on your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, or interview skills.
• Consider related roles, temporary roles, volunteer work, or project-based experience that can still move you closer to your goals. 
• Schedule a career counseling appointment in Spartan Connect for job search support, new strategies, and next steps.
• If your job or internship search is causing stress, anxiety, or time management challenges, schedule a CAPS appointment for support.