Job & Internship Search Tips

Start Early

  • Internships and jobs are posted year-round. We recommend starting your search process early, because some organizations (typically larger organizations) begin their recruitment process several months in advance.
  • It often takes most job seekers about 3-5 months to find a job. A suggested timeline is that if you are looking for a summer internship or if you are seeking a full-time job after May graduation, you should begin to actively search and apply in January/February (or even earlier)!
  • The fall CLA Internship & Career Fair (Sept.) and the UMN Job and Internship Fair (Feb.) dates serve as good reminders of when you should be searching, preparing application materials, and applying for internships and jobs.

Create a Targeted Approach

Before you begin your job search, take time to narrow down what you’re looking for so that you can create a targeted approach that will lead to effective results. Some key questions to consider:

  • What are my values, interests, identities, personality, skills/competencies, strengths, and needs? CLA Career Services offers career assessments that may help you identify and articulate these characteristics further.
  • What are my key educational, work, volunteer, and leadership experiences?
  • What is my preferred type of work environment (e.g., team-oriented staff, long-term projects, fast-paced atmosphere, etc.)? What type of supervisor am I seeking?
  • What geographic location am I targeting?
  • What type of career field do I want to work in (e.g., government, nonprofit, business, etc.)?
  • What type of position/job category/job title am I seeking, such as: banking, editing, human resources, teaching, computer science, research, etc.?

Determine Whether You Are Qualified

  • When employers write an internship or job description, it is their wish list of what they are seeking. So don’t be put off if you don’t have 100% of the preferred qualifications they are looking for! If you have about 70% of the qualifications, then you should consider applying.
  • It is rare to see a job posting seeking zero years of experience. Most will say at least 1-3 years, and these are the entry-level positions you should be applying for because your coursework, internship, part-time job experience, etc. counts as experience.

Explore Identity-Based Resources

Utilize the Navigating Identity in the Job and Internship Search resource and view these identity-based resources: 

If you are an international student who is currently seeking a job or internship, or plan on doing so in the near future, we recommend that you check out the following resources below.

  • International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Website: ISSS is your on-campus expert to discuss your U.S. work authorization options. Visit their website to review resources, request a meeting, and much more.
  • Career Services Website for International Students: Check out this helpful website created by career services staff across campus. The website contains resources to help you in your career exploration and preparation process.
    • Preparing for a U.S. Job Search: For international students who are seeking work in the U.S. after graduation. This page provides more information on understanding your work authorization (F-1, J-1, H-1B), how to look for internships and jobs in the U.S., preparing for your job search in the U.S., and stories from international alumni currently working in the Twin Cities!
    • Preparing for a Non-U.S. Job Search: For international students who are seeking work outside of the U.S. after graduation (e.g. returning to home country, moving to a third country). This page provides a tutorial on how to use ‘GoinGlobal’—a global job and internship search platform. In addition, learn more about career fairs/events for non-U.S. jobs, as well as how to network with U of M alumni from all over the world.
  • Work Authorization for F-1 Students

The job search process is a time when you navigate who you are and the opportunities you are seeking while managing how you will be perceived by others in your search. Aspects of your identity and culture (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, class, ability, age, religion, family position, etc.) are assets that you will bring to your future employer. However, you may have questions about how and when to share aspects of your identity. The tips below are meant to empower you with information to help you proceed in your search. CLA career coaches can also support you with specific questions about your needs.

Common Questions and Concerns

Here are some frequently asked questions and common concerns you might want to consider:

How do I disclose my identities in my job search?

I’m worried my appearance (e.g., hair color/style, piercings, tattoos, religious attire, gender expression, etc.) may raise concerns to prospective employers. How do I decide whether to change my appearance for an upcoming interview?

Should I list a certain organization on my resume (e.g., religious group, political affiliation, LGBTQ organization, etc.) that may “out” me?

What should I do if I’m asked an illegal question during an interview?

I do not shake hands for cultural reasons. What should I do at my interview?

How do I identify whether a company or organization will be a good fit for me?

I know I will need accommodations during my interview or on the job. How do I address this?

I’m worried my background check may raise concerns. What should I do?

How do I address citizenship status if I am unable to legally work in this country?

How do I answer the question, “Do you need a sponsor to work in the U.S.?”

What are the legal protections for transgender individuals in the workplace in Minnesota?

How can I research what health coverage benefits are available to me through a prospective employer?

I have a gap on my resume because of a leave of absence for a mental health crisis. How can I manage this in my job search or address the impact it had on my GPA for graduate school?

Where can I get help knowing how to best highlight my military service as being relevant to a position? 

I got a job offer and have heard that women often make less money than men in the U.S. How do I make sure I am paid fairly?

I am experiencing some changes in my family structure (e.g., marriage, pregnancy, children, adoption, death of a family member, changes in primary-care status, etc.), and I am worried about how this could impact employer perceptions of my ability to effectively do my job. How do I navigate this?

All of these questions are valid, and a CLA career coach can help you address them and direct you to additional helpful resources. You may also want to consult mentors in the communities with whom you identify. 

How to Research Organizations and Assess Workplace Culture

Use the University of Minnesota Alumni Association’s Maroon and Gold Network, a free online networking platform that allows you to get career-related advice from UMN alumni around the world who have volunteered to share it.
Additionally, the Multicultural Alumni Network (MCAN), is a group within the Maroon and Gold Network where students and alumni of color can connect with each other for career advice and conversation.

Talk to family, friends, advisors, career coaches, community leaders, and/or instructors and ask if they know any professionals who share your identity or identities with whom you could speak to get their perspective about working for organizations in which you have an interest.

Check organizations’ websites, LinkedIn.com, glassdoor.com, and the company’s social media to see if the organization includes the following items:

A statement and or resources related to diversity and inclusion

Non-discrimination policies and procedures that support diversity

LGBTQ-friendly benefits like trans inclusive health insurance and LGBTQ friendly parental leave

Affinity or resource groups for different populations

Gender-neutral bathrooms

Training around diversity and inclusion for employees

Disability resources

Check out organizational ratings:

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index and Best Places to Work

Military Times’ Best for Vets Companies

Check job boards and LinkedIn groups that share your identity (identities):

TJobBank - employment site specifically designed to bring inclusive employers together with transgender candidates.

Diversity Working - a job search engine that offers 550,000 active and non-replicated diversity jobs.

LGBT CareerLink - Out & Equal Workplace Advocate's job search and employment networking website.

Getting Hired - a job search site for people with disabilities.

Recruitmilitary.com - a full-service military-to-civilian recruiting firm. Veteran owned and operated with over 140,000 jobs in their exclusive database of openings.

Federal Jobs for Military Veterans - Federal employment information for veterans, transitioning service members, their families, federal HR professionals and hiring managers.

Ask questions in the interview to help you assess fit, such as:

How would you describe the culture of this organization? In this department?

What kind of affinity groups, if any, does this organization have?

What kind of training and professional development is provided or encouraged in this organization? In this department?

What values does this department have and how do you see these values being upheld?

Disclosure

Whether you want or need to disclose aspects of your identity, there are many strategies to consider.

What to Disclose

Aspects of your identity you may be disclosed including ability status and accommodation needs, gender identity or expression, racial or ethnic background, citizenship status, criminal record, veteran status, religion/religious affiliation, family status, and more.

Timing

In most cases, there is no perfect timing of when and how to disclose aspects of your identity. There are pros and cons to each. Options of when to disclose include: 

Before you apply (ex. during networking meetings or through informal contact with professionals affiliated with the organization)

In your resume or cover letter

When an employer calls to invite you for an interview

During the interview itself

After the interview and before receiving the job offer

After the interview and after receiving the job offer

After you start in your new position

On the job after a job-related problem or conflict arises

Increasing your confidence with disclosure

Disclosing sensitive or complex aspects of your identity can be hard, but there are steps you can take to increase your confidence and comfort with doing so. 

Be informed with research to help you target your job search to organizations that are more likely to be welcoming and affirming of your situation and needs.

Practice your disclosure language with a trusted mentor or career coach.

Make a list of the toughest questions you may receive and make a plan in advance for how you might address them if they come up.

Educate yourself about the laws and legal environment related to your disclosure (see resource list below). Being armed with information can help you know what to anticipate, how to respond, and how to advocate for yourself well.

Reflect upon and be ready to share with employers how your identities add value to their organization and the position you are interested in

Get support from mentors, trusted friends or family, career coaches, mental health therapists, and others. You do not have to go through this alone! 

Illegal Interview Questions

In the United States, it is illegal for employers to ask you questions about your marital status, if you have children or are expecting a child, religious practices, political affiliation, race or nationality, sexual orientation, age, whether you have a disability, your gender, and whether or not you have been arrested. These questions are illegal because the information that could be shared in a candidate’s response may be used to discriminate against them. If you are asked an illegal question, you do not need to answer it. Instead, turn the focus back on your qualifications for the position. Learn more about handling illegal interview questions.

Resources for Further SupportCampus Resources:

Meet with a CLA Career Coach

Disability Resource Center--career resources

Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life

Women’s Center

Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence

University Student Legal Service

International Student and Scholar Services

Student Counseling Services

Student Parent Help Center

Off-campus Resources:

Lambda Legal - a nonprofit legal organization that offers many resources related to workplace rights and employment laws affecting LGBTQ people, including state-by-state resources and a legal help desk you can contact with your legal questions.

Coming Out at Work - a resource from the Human Rights Campaign about coming out at work, including a list of questions to ask employers.

Immigration Advocates - a collaborative effort of leading immigrants' rights organizations that promotes more effective and efficient communication, collaboration, and services among immigration advocates and organizations by providing free, easily accessible and comprehensive online resources and tools.

Navigate MN - Immigration and Education Justice

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - an overview of disability laws.

Job Accommodation Network - The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.

MAP Project - an overview of current state laws and locality ordinances on employment discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

U.S. Department of Labor--Veterans - an overview of veteran employment laws.

LGBTQ Professional and Student Associations - a comprehensive list of LGBT professional and student associations from the Human Rights Campaign.