COLLEGE OF

Education and Human Development

Job search strategies

You will have several jobs in your lifetime. Some jobs might be just for the paycheck. Other jobs are an important part of your career journey. Landing a great internship is also important to your career journey. Either way, the search process starts before you click that first “apply” button. 

The first step to finding the right position for you is to know yourself and your motivations.

  • Notice your strengths, personal characteristics, values, transferable skills, and other attributes that you might bring to your new job. Take a career assessment to get to know yourself better. 
  • Know what type of job or internship you want and why you want that position. What do you want to learn, contribute to or influence through your work?
  • Think about how this job search fits into your career development. Spend time getting to know yourself. Explore your possibilities to help you make decisions and set goals.
  • Share ideas about your job search with people close to you, mentors, advisors or a career coach. You never know who may have insights or resources to connect you to your next job.

After reviewing all these tips and resources, are you still seeking one-on-one support? Don’t worry, CEHD Career Services is here for you! Attend a 15-minute drop-in appointment (just show up!), or schedule a 60-minute appointment with a Career Services team member anytime you need to talk about your career ideas.

Job search plans

  1. Make a folder in a virtual storage space (i.e. Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) to store your resumes, cover letters, saved position descriptions, and other job search materials. This way, you have all your materials organized in one centralized location. You can make a subfolder for each position you apply for.
    1. Current students can use the Google Drive associated with their “umn.edu” email for as long as they are a UMN student.
    2. Graduating seniors and alumni can choose a virtual storage space that you will have access to for as long as you need it.
  2. Design a job search log, database or document to track which positions you have applied for, when you connect with your networking contacts, and when you plan to follow up. Include the name of the organization, contact person, method of application, date and status. Update this document every time you act on a job lead and communicate with your network.

Job search websites

Multiple career areas & employer types

  • Handshake – University of Minnesota’s job and internship platform. Employers and job postings are vetted
  • Employment at the University of Minnesota system – Current U of M employment opportunities at all campuses and locations, including student employment
  • List of inclusive job boards - CEHD Staff curated list of job boards focusing on being BIPOC friendly, Neurodivergent Friendly, LGBTQ+ Friendly, Remote Work, etc.
  • CareerOneStop – Search various jobs in public, private and nonprofit organizations in the United States
  • Care.com – Apply to social service, personal care, and child care hourly and contract positions

Public/government jobs

  • Government Jobs – Various types of state, county and city postings from all over the United States
  • Govt Jobs – Various types of government jobs in US states and local public sectors
  • Go Government – career exploration resources for federal jobs
  • USAJobs – Various job types and locations for federal jobs
  • Jobs with the State of Minnesota – Various types of positions located across the state

Health & wellness jobs

International jobs

Sports & recreation positions