• Roadmap: Job Search

    Let's make sure you're career-ready by the time you graduate! In this map, you'll learn how to effectively search for opportunities, network, and establish and articulate your personal brand.

  • Introduction

    The Economics Department has two roadmaps that focus on career readiness. The first is Career Prep, which will teach you about resumes, cover letters, and online networking platforms. To begin the Career Prep roadmap, click here.

    The second career readiness roadmap is called Job Search. You are in the Job Search roadmap now. This roadmap will teach you how to perform an effective search for full-time jobs and undergraduate internships. It provides resources and advice on how to find employers and put yourself forward as a candidate. You can come back and complete this Roadmap whenever you are searching for a job or internship.

    The Career Prep and Job Search roadmaps are outlined below for your convenience.

    Roadmap: Career Prep

    Objective: Fine-tune or create professional documents and establish a professional online presence to help prepare for a job or internship.

    Step 1: Resumes and Cover Letters

    Step 2: Professional Online Presence (LinkedIn; Handshake)

    Step 3: BYU Career Services

    Roadmap: Job Search

    Objective: Help you find and secure a job or internship.

    Step 1: Job Searching Strategies

    Step 2: Networking

    Step 3: Elevator Pitch & Interviewing

    Step 4: Meet Your Career Director

     

    To begin the Job Search roadmap, fill out the information below and click "Next." Entering your email address will allow you to return to this roadmap and pick up where you left off if you are unable to finish in one session. Just click the "Save and Close" button to save your progress. The system will then email you a personalized link so you can finish your roadmap later.

    When you have completed the entire roadmap, click "Submit Roadmap."

     

  • Job Searching Strategies

    In this step you'll learn how to efficiently explore job and internship opportunities in your field of interest.

  • The 2-Hour Job Search

    If you don't have time to complete this exercise now or are not currently looking for a job or internship, we strongly encourage you to make time for it when you do begin searching for jobs and internships. These two hours of strategic job searching will save you countless hours of anxiety and frustration with the job search process.

    The 2-Hour Job Search exercise is adapted from Steve Dalton's book "The Two-Hour Job Search." It will teach you how to scan the internet for companies of interest and prioritize your list of potential employers.

    Watch a tutorial video at this link, and also review the Instructions and Template document at that same link. (The tutorial video itself is 20 minutes, but make sure you carve out two hours when you choose to complete the exercise.) The video will teach you how to create a "LAMP" list (List Alumni Motivation Posting) of employers. It's worth the time going through this exercise! Click here for a summary of the exercise or here for a more thorough explanation of each step.

    Even if you aren't currently looking for a job or internship, it would still be helpful for you to go through these steps. The LAMP list will help you to better understand what kinds of jobs you are interested in and qualified for and which employers are hiring.

     
    Econ Department Email Blast

    When you start looking for econ jobs or internships, we highly recommend that you sign up for the email blast from the department. This twice-weekly email contains information about all the opportunities shared with us by recruiters. The email blast also includes info about master's and PhD programs around the country. You can register for the email blast by sending an email to economics@byu.edu and asking to be added to the list.

     
    Other Job Searching Resources
    Beyond the 2-hour job search method, there are other strategies you can use to break down job searching into manageable steps. Here is a list of other resources compiled by BYU Career Services to help you approach job searching strategically:

    BYU Job Search Handout

    BYU's 7 Steps of a Job Search

    BYU Job Search Strategy Handout

  • Remember that you can always come back to this roadmap and update your response once you have completed the 2-Hour Job Search. Just click "Save and Close" whenever you need to exit the roadmaps screen. You will then be emailed a link that will allow you to resume this roadmap and edit your submissions.

  • If you change your mind and choose to complete the 2-Hour Job Search later on, remember that you can come back to this roadmap and update your response. Just click "Save and Close" whenever you need to exit the roadmaps screen. You will then be emailed a link that will allow you to resume this roadmap and edit your submissions.

  • Networking

    It really is about who you know. Thankfully, BYU alumni form a strong network of accomplished professionals who are often willing to help you navigate the post-graduation job pool.

  • Career Exploration Interviews

    One way to tap into BYU's alumni network is with career exploration interviews. These interviews typically last 15 to 20 minutes (don't let them go longer than 30) and allow you to get a feel for an alum's career path. You can set up these informational interviews by reaching out to alumni on LinkedIn. Here's a sheet with helpful tips on making initial contact with alumni and setting up informational interviews.

    When you reach out to a BYU alum, don't expect that they will hand you a job. Rather, expect them to honestly answer your questions about their career and their company. You can learn a lot from these interviews and start establishing a vibrant professional network.

    One last thing—always send a thank-you note or email to every alumni you interview. Click here for "Thank You" best practices.

    Other Networking Resources

    Designing Your Career: The Informational Interview YouTube Video

    BYU Career Services Networking Page

    If you haven't already, please take the time now to reach out to a BYU alum who works in a field that interests you. You will be asked about this experience below.

  • Please remember that you can come back to this roadmap and update your response once you have completed an informational interview. Just click "Save and Close" whenever you need to exit the roadmaps screen. You will then be emailed a link that will allow you to resume this roadmap and edit your submissions.

  • Elevator Pitch & Interviewing

    Learning how to articulate your competencies is one of the hardest yet most important skills of career readiness. In this step, you'll learn a couple methods you can use to present your best you.

  • Elevator Pitch

    Have you ever answered the prompt, "Tell me about yourself"? Often this is the first thing an employer will say to you at a career fair, job interview, or informational interview. If you haven't rehearsed your answer, it can be very difficult to articulate.

    Follow these guidelines for writing an elevator pitch, and record your pitch in the box below. As you do so, remember that you only have one chance at a first impression.


    How to Prepare Your “Elevator Pitch”

    One of the best things you can do ahead of any recruiting event is to prepare a few talking points to succinctly make the case about why you’re a great candidate. In other words, your elevator pitch. The employers that you meet with want to learn more about you! So think of a short overview about your background, studies, and career goals. Practice with a friend or family member ahead of the virtual fair so you’re ready when it’s time to introduce yourself to a recruiter.

    Read our tips below for how to prepare an elevator pitch.

    What is an elevator pitch?

    An elevator pitch is a short and sweet synopsis about yourself for a prospective employer. It’s called an elevator pitch because it’s meant to be brief enough to deliver convincingly during a quick elevator ride to your floor.

    How long should my pitch be?
    Think about the length of your average elevator ride. Not long, right? It’s a best practice to keep your elevator pitch to a minute or less! The key to an impactful elevator pitch is to stay short and sweet, avoid rambling, and prioritize truly pertinent information.

    What should I include in my elevator pitch?
    Focus on the skills and qualifications that’ll make you uniquely appealing to your audience. Give some top-level bullet points about what makes you an awesome candidate! 

    • Your field of study
    • A couple relevant skills or certifications
    • A nod to relevant experience 

    Here is a formula to help you remember your pitch:

    Present (what you are studying / currently doing) plus Past (relevant experiences) plus Future (aspirations / why you are interested or a good fit for their company)

    Your elevator pitch should also touch on your professional goals: if you hope to find a job at a mission-driven startup or want to relocate to Denver or aim for a role where you’ll flex your coding skills, mention these. 

    If you plan to meet with a few different types of employers during your career fair, don’t be afraid to tailor your pitch to different industries and roles. For example, your proficiency in Photoshop might not be relevant to a corporate sales role, but it is for marketing! Be aware of your audience. 

    How to deliver an elevator pitch
    When it comes to your elevator pitch, practice makes perfect. You might feel silly running through a 30-second spiel about yourself, but becoming confident in your delivery can make a huge difference when you’re face-to-face with a recruiter! Aim for your pitch to be brief, persuasive, and confident—not boastful. Ask a trusted friend or family member to run through your pitch with you a few times, give constructive feedback, and help you nail it! 

    How should I wrap up after my pitch?
    Typically, it’s a best practice to have a business card or a copy of your resume to hand to somebody after delivering your elevator pitch during a career fair. However, if you’ll be meeting recruiters during virtual fairs, have a link to your Handshake or LinkedIn profile handy to send via chat! If relevant, you can also share a digital portfolio during this time.

    Elevator pitch examples:

    • “I’m Brinton, and I just graduated UC Davis with a degree in English. I’ve worked as a freelance writer for lifestyle publications like Bustle for the past two years. Now I’m looking to grow as a full-time reporter in the entertainment, travel, or breaking news space. I’m proficient in Photoshop, certified in Google Analytics, and have experience managing social media channels for small businesses.”
    • “I’m Luke, and I’m a software engineer with a background working with high-growth e-commerce startups in the Los Angeles area. However, I am looking for an opportunity that will bring me closer to my family and friends in Raleigh. I specialize in iOS and have four years of experience writing C++ code in a POSIX environment.”
    • “I’m Rey, and I’m a rising senior at UT Austin. I’m studying finance and spent last summer as an analyst for Goldman Sachs, where I focused mainly on comparative financial performance analysis. Now that I’m graduating in June, I’m hoping to find a full-time role as an investment banking analyst.”

    These tips were adapted from "How to Prepare Your Virtual Career Fair 'Elevator Pitch'" on the Handshake blog.

  • Interviews

    Now that you've prepared your application materials, searched and applied for jobs, and determined how to network, it's time to prepare for interviews.

    When a company brings you in for an interview, it's an excellent opportunity for both them and you. For them, it's an opportunity to see if your personality and work ethic—in addition to your qualifications—are a good fit with company culture. For you, it's a chance to learn about the company's work environment and your potential role within it. In a sense, you are interviewing the company at the same time they are interviewing you, so it's important for you to come prepared.

    That doesn't mean you should memorize your responses or act like a cardboard cutout during your interview. While you should be professional throughout the interview process, you should also be yourself. Research the company and the position you're interviewing for. Be educated on what is important to your interviewers. Call to mind some of your past experiences that demonstrate your skills and problem-solving capabilities. Then, when you make it to your interview, try to relax. Represent yourself honestly and ask great questions. If you're a good fit for the company, they will probably know it. You will, too. So take a breather and try your best. (It may also be helpful for you to remember that if you have made it to the interview phase, you're probably doing better than you think.)

    For resources on interview preparedness, explore the links below.

    Interview Resources

    BYU Common Interview Questions Handout

    Glassdoor Interview Tips

    BYU Interviewing Rubric

    Sarah's Strengths (YouTube video about articulating strengths)

    Sarah's Weaknesses (YouTube video about articulating weaknesses)

    What is Your STRENGTH and WEAKNESS? How To Answer This Interview Question (YouTube video)

    Interview Practice

    BYU has a contract with Standout, a website that helps you practice interviewing via video. If you're ready to get some interview practice, check it out!

    For one-on-one interview practice, schedule an appointment with a Career Mentor at the BYU Career Services center. Career Mentors are student employees who are trained in career readiness. They can walk you through a mock interview and give you personalized feedback!

  • Meet Your Career Director

    Make and attend an appointment with your Career Director. If you already completed this step as part of the Career Prep roadmap, please indicate so in the final text box.

  • Career Mentors

    Previously in this Job Search roadmap, we directed you to seek help from Career Mentors. The Career Mentors are students who work in BYU Career Services (2590 WSC). They are trained to help you with career readiness, including resumes, cover letters, and mock interviews. If you are seeking personal advice on any of these topics, you can make an appointment with a Career Mentor at the Career Services website.

    Career Directors

    While Career Mentors are students who can help with general materials, Career Directors are administrators who can counsel you on your specific career goals. Career Directors are assigned to cover specific departments so they can be up-to-date on career fields in your area of study. To find your Career Director, head to this Career Services webpage. Scroll down until you find the Career Director who covers your major. (Currently, the director who covers economics is Lane Muranaka.)

    You can make an appointment with your Career Director by clicking "Schedule Now!" and filling out the information. Make sure you select the appropriate Career Director in the first dropdown box. You can also make an appointment by calling BYU Career Services at 801-422-3000.

    At Your Appointment

    When you meet with your Career Director, you can ask about internship and job opportunities and learn about job searching resources. Your Director will counsel with you and help you feel personally prepared for whatever comes after graduation. Make sure you prepare questions or application materials before your meeting so you can use your time with your Career Director effectively.

     

    If you have not already done so, please schedule an appointment with your Career Director now. Once you have met with your Director, return to this Roadmap and fill out the following response.

  • Congratulations

    You have completed the Career Prep roadmap! Please take some time to answer the following questions so we can know how best to improve these roadmaps!
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