When preparing to search for various forms of work, there is an important process you can follow to ensure you are finding opportunities that align with your values, interests and goals.
Know Yourself
Taking some time to consider and articulate the following will help make sure that your
future work experiences align with your values, interests, skills, and workplace needs.
- What matters to you
- What you value in the workplace
- What field you want to gain experience in
- What skills you want to use in your work experiences
- The type of environment in which you will thrive
- Connections you may have that can help you get there
Consult the Explore section to get started.
Set Goals
Identify your non-negotiables and set realistic goals/targets to aim for as you research and apply for opportunities. Common “non-negotiables” might include field, location, organization type or size, opportunities for growth, salary + benefits, etc. Prioritize these elements so you are evaluating experiences based on what is most important to you.
Research employers and opportunities
Learn about common positions, qualifications, skills to develop, and timelines. Get to know key employers in your field of interest and assess alignment between their culture, opportunities and your needs/values. Find more information about how to research employers below.
Stay organized by creating an application/research tracker document.
Connect with Professionals
Engage with current employees of organizations you are considering or people in your field of interest to gather information about potential opportunities aligned with your goals. Keep those individuals informed of your progress so they can be an advocate for you.
Attend on-campus or virtual events designed to build connections, make a first impression, and learn. Consult the Professional Connections & Networking section for more details on getting started.
Find Opportunities, Prepare & Apply
Prepare your application materials (resume, cover letters, and more) and submit your application prior to the deadline. Consult the Prepare & Apply section for how-to guides and templates to get you started or to finalize your application materials.
Search through popular job or internship search sites to identify opportunities of interest. Consult the Experiences section to find opportunities aligned with your goals.
Follow-up
Keep your network informed of your search. Ask for follow-up conversations or support to help you advance to the interview stage of the hiring process.
Keep track of your progress to identify organizations where follow-up may be necessary.
Reset goals and repeat the process as desired.
Interview
Participate in one or multiple conversations to share in detail what you would bring to the organization and opportunity. Interviews can take place via phone, virtual platform, or in-person and can be live or asynchronous. Consult the Interviewing section for more details.
Negotiate and Accept an Offer
Before you make a decision, evaluate and learn more about important elements of the job, benefits, or perks that will influence your decision. Consult the Negotiations section for more details.
Tips & Resources to Consider While Navigating Your Search
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
How do I research an employer?
Conducting basic research about organizations of interest is a really important step in this process. Here are some helpful bits of information to look for as you research opportunities to evaluate alignment:
- What initially drew you to this organization?
- What is the vision and mission of the organization?
- What products and/or services are offered and who is the target market? How do they provide value to their customers/clients?
- Has the organization been in the news lately? Anything of note or concern? Are they an ethical, trustworthy organization? Are they growing?
- Who are the top leaders in the organization? What are their backgrounds and experiences?
- Review key performance indicators — earnings, stock performance (if public), social impact, philanthropic or community investments/engagement
- What are the employee benefits or perks offered?
- What types of jobs or experiences does the organization offer? Do they have a pipeline model (hiring interns that eventually lead to full-time employment)?
- Are there any UW alumni who work there? Is there anyone else in your network who works there?
- Who are the organization’s main competitors? How is this organization unique from them?
Where do I go to access this information?
- Organization’s website
- Local, regional or global news stories, forums, and field-specific associations
- LinkedIn organization profiles
- Informational interviews with alumni or people working for the organization
- Glassdoor
How do I stay organized throughout my search?
- Create an application tracker to stay organized, ensure you meet application deadlines, and can follow-up in a timely manner where needed
- Use this employer evaluation tool to help you determine which organizations may be a good fit