Advice for college of agriculture students
I’m Mary Ellen Barkley, the Career & Employment Services Liasion to the College of Agriculture. Below are some tips on how to conduct an effective job search. Take a look, and contact me if you need help. I’d be glad to review your resume, discuss ways to look for a job or internship, and talk about how to brush up on your interview skills.
Favorite Job Search Sites
View my favorite sites for Ag majors (PDF). Be sure to utilize multiple methods of searching.
Prepare Yourself
If you’re not getting interviews, it’s time to evaluate why. It could be the job market, or it could be that your resume doesn’t effectively reflect your skills. Don’t sit around worrying—instead, make an appointment, or email me for a resume review.
Speaking of preparation—are you ready for an interview? Watch this video and find out. And read our Interview Guide. You can even set up a mock interview with a CES advisor. Because people who practice end up doing better. Really.
Conduct an Effective Job Search
You’ve been looking for awhile now, but still no luck. Maybe it’s time to rethink your job search strategy. Because, -“if you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." (W. L. Bateman)
The Apple Tree Analogy
Picture an apple tree. Some of the fruit is within easy reach; other apples are hidden in the leaves and require extra effort to find. Both locations have quality apples, but which ones disappear first? Right. Same with jobs. If you’re only looking in the places where everyone else looks, your odds of finding something are lower. So climb the tree.
Where to Look
Job posting sites can be helpful, so use them as one part of your search strategy. You can view my favorite sites for Ag majors (PDF). But remember that some organizations only list positions on their own websites. It may not be hard to find them if you already know about the company, but what if you don’t? That’s where research comes in. Don’t let it scare you—think of it as a treasure hunt for professionals. One great tool is a database from the K-State Library called LexisNexis Academic.
Found My Dream Company, No Jobs Posted—Now What?
Fight the fear and pick up the phone. But before you do, get tips and a script from 7 Secrets to the Hidden Job Market (PDF) by Donald Asher. You’ll learn how to ask for advice and network your way to more job leads. And, of course, come to CES for help if you need it.
Overcoming Objections (Primarily your own)
- They might not want to talk with me (true). Keep calling until you find someone who does.
- I don’t know what to say (see above).
- This takes time (true again). Back to the apple tree. Would you just walk by if you knew the job you’ve been waiting for was up there in the leaves?
Be Flexible and Positive
Uncertain times can be a little scary. But they can also force us to become more creative. Now is a great time to think about doing something different. Like maybe an internship following graduation. It’s a great way to gain related experience, make contacts in your field, and can even lead to a full-time position down the road.
Or how about taking a job for awhile in an industry outside of your chosen field? You can still keep professionally involved by volunteering in organizations related to your ultimate career. Or think about this--if you want to make a difference and gain new skills, you might consider working for a federal agency or a service based organization like Americorps or City Year.
Most importantly, try and keep a positive attitude throughout your search process. We could all learn a lot from Bobby McFerrin’s Grammy winning song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He’s definitely got a point, but sometimes it can be challenging to pull off. So here are some tips for staying positive in the job search, and why it matters.