Job Search Preparation Resources | HCC

Student Life

Job Search Preparation Resources

Steps to a Successful Job Search

Action Steps
Know Yourself
What am I good at? What are my skills related to the job I am seeking? Identify your skills, personality, strengths, and values to find a career area that fits well!
Access Career Assessments.  
Additional ways to identify skills: Skills Matcher and ONET Online. 
 
   
Resume - Your Marketing Tool!  

HCC Students, contact HCC Career Services for a resume review and assistance.  Additional free, live resume and job search assistance is available from the  HCC Tutoring Page. 

  • Scroll beneath the heading 'online tutoring services' and click on the Brainfuse graphic. 
  • You can select live assistance with your resume for immediate assistance from a credentialed individual, or select 'Writing Lab' to submit your resume for a detailed report on suggestions within one business day. 
  • Be sure to check the "my message center" within your Brainfuse account to receive the suggestions.  

Find Resume Guides in your student Handshake Resource Library.  Consider uploading your resume in Handshake to help employers find you!   Student & alumni resume reviews & assistance at HCC Career Services.

AI tools such as ChatGPT can help you brainstorm ideas on how to prepare and present yourself to employers.  From finding relevant opportunities to generating ideas for your online presence, resume, interview responses and more.

** If you decide to utilize AI tools ALWAYS remove your name and any contact information as it will be openly accessible and lead to increased scams.  Sample AI prompts:

  • Based on my (insert skills), suggest improvements for my resume to apply for a (insert job title) role. 
  • Suggest improvements for my resume to apply for the following job (paste link to job ad). 
  • Provide some job search tips for an entry-level (insert career or job title) role. 
  • Provide some possible job interview questions based on the following (paste job description).
  • Ask for my response to the following job interview question, then suggest improvements (paste question). 

Resume samples for ideas are also found here, Monster and Job Hero

Update your resume in 30 minutes or less by The Muse, career advice resource.

How to write a Resume Summary Statement

Reference Sheet Sample

Using O Net Online to help build your resume

 
Networking Techniques  

Create/Update your LinkedIn Profile. Connect with individuals (alumni, friends, acquaintances) at companies of interest or with those who do what you want to do.  LinkedIn for Students video
Set up job/internship alerts and check them daily/weekly.  
Talk to everyone you know about possible opportunities & connect with at least 2 individuals each week for networking. 
Interview Preparation   
Phone/Virtual Interview Cheat Sheet.  

Google's Free Interview Warmup - Practice answering questions, get instant feedback, and reifne your skills.  

Schedule a practice interview for either in-person or virtual with Career Services.
Create and practice your one-minute commercial.  
Tips to prepare for your virtual interview.
Keep your job search efforts organized with a Job Search tracking spreadsheet.    
Don’t forget to send a thank-you note for after interview. It can set you apart from other candidate and must be error free.  

Workers with Disabilities & the ADA.  Disability friendly job boards

Circa Diversity Jobs Website 

Diversity Jobs LGBTQIA+   

Resource for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals 

Skill Building & Professional Development - Your source for test preparation and much more at Learning Express LIbrary