Do you know there is a strong link between the use of career services and a student's ability to get a job offer? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers 2010 Student Survey, "the more frequently a senior used career services, the more likely he/she would receive a job offer." Of the students who were career center users, 71 percent received job offers as compared to just under 29 percent who received offers and had not used the career center.

In addition, the study found "that the likelihood of getting a job offer increased with the frequency of use, so that those who used the career center four or more times a semester were more likely to have job offers than those who used it once a semester."

What does this mean for the Class of 2017? There are several key steps students can take to help them stand out in a competitive job market:

1. Visit career services offices. The UA campus' three career services offices are an unmatched source of career and job-search information, where students can receive expert insight and guidance. The University Career Development Center provides many services including career counseling, resume and cover letter reviews, mock job and medical interviews, job search assistance, career fairs, company information sessions, career assessments, Skype interview room reservations, career exploration classes, graduate school counseling, CTR coaching, selecting a major assistance, and LinkedIn profile reviews and photo sessions to name a few. 

2. Begin job searching early. Students may be surprised to learn that a successful job search can take at least 6-12 months. So they should begin their search now. Razorback CareerLink is the UA's electronic job posting system that allows students to search for and apply to part-time, full-time jobs, and internships. To begin searching for positions, students may log in to careerlink.uark.edu, and enter their UA username and password. 

3. Network to learn about job opportunities. Most students' network is bigger than they think and working through it is a big part of conducting an effective job search. They never know who they might meet or who knows who. Begin by attending career fairs and career events provided by the UA's career centers. More information can be found at career.uark.edu, waltoncollege.uark.edu/career and law.uark.edu/careers.

4. Do research. Researching potential employers and industries and demonstrating what they have learned is a vital step. They should also tailor their resume and cover letter by using the language and keywords that the employer uses on its website and in its job postings. Then, from the information they collect, develop in-depth questions to ask during the interview. Their career centers can also assist with this.

5. Market Themselves. Students should be sure to highlight their accomplishments in the classroom (high GPA, research they have conducted, and more), and quantify the impact they have made as leaders of student organizations or as a part-time employee or intern.

Your Career Development Centers can help with all of these steps. Learn more by visiting our websites.

University Career Development Center  Walton College Career Center   Law School Career Center