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Job Search Sites

Aside from College Central, there are many websites that you can log onto and SEARCH job listings. However, it is important that you remember that you are competing with hundreds of job seekers like yourself. These job listings are available for everyone to see, so employers are getting tons of responses. It is important that when you do apply for jobs on a job listing site; that you set yourself apart from all the others. When you spot a job that interest you, read the listing carefully. It should tell you exactly what the employer is looking for. Make sure that in your cover letter, you address what it is the employer is wanting. Some employers use computer software to “search” all the resumes they received looking for certain keywords. If your resume does not have these keywords then it is automatically disregarded. That is also why it is important to tailor your resume to each job that you apply for.

Spoon River College has listed some popular, local job listing sites. Happy Job Hunting! (These links are not owned or managed by Spoon River College. We are not responsible for their content or appearance.)

Student Employment at SRC

Spoon River College has a limited number of Work Study and Student Employment positions. The difference between work study and student employment is as follows:

Federal Work Study Program: This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It is intended to help eligible students pay for education through part-time employment. To be eligible, students must: apply for financial aid, be in good academic standing, must not have received a bachelor’s degree nor be in default of a student loan, and must be enrolled in at least six semester hours during the fall and spring semester and at least one three hour class in the summer.

Student Employment: Jobs are subject to the availability of college funding. These jobs are open to all students, regardless of their financial situation. Eligibility requirements: maintain satisfactory academic progress, register and remain enrolled in at least six credit hours during the fall and spring semester and at least one three credit hour class in the summer.

Applying and Hiring Process:
To SEARCH and apply for Work Study or Student Employment, you must apply online.

Once the application is processed, the student’s name will go in a pool of other eligible applicants. The supervisors that are hiring in their departments will review applications for interviews. The decision to hire a student is the individual supervisor’s. Priority is given to students who held jobs the previous semester. Students can view job descriptions that are available where employment applications are picked up.

A new application must be completed every year, even if you are returning to the same position.

Once a student has been selected for employment, a release authorization form for a criminal background must be signed and processed. Once that is completed and comes back clear, than the student will be approved for hire.

NOTE: The student’s MUST fill out the appropriate employment forms and complete an orientation before starting work. Paperwork must be turned into the Human Resources Office. Those forms are:
• Employment Eligibility Verification, (I9) with proof of identification and proof of eligibility to work in the United States (example: a driver’s license and social security card).
• Employee Information Form
• Federal and State W-4 forms
• Direct Deposit Form
• Job Description Acknowledgment Form
• Policies and Procedures Acknowledgment Form

Job Search Techniques

It is said that 80% of all job openings are not advertised. So, how do you find out about these types of jobs? Finding a job takes hard work and dedication. For most people, a good job just doesn’t fall in their lap. Have a Job Hunting Plan is the best way to approach your job SEARCH. Here are some tried and true tips to get you started on finding a good job:

• NETWORK with friends and family. So, let everybody know that you are looking for a job. Think about this: If you tell 30 people you are looking for a job and they each tell 30 people they know that you are looking for a job, than you have 900 people on the lookout for you.
• Use social network places like FACEBOOK and LinkedIN.
• Go directly to employer’s webpages to look for job openings.
• Answer help wanted ads from popular websites (see website listed in Job Search Sites).
• Send a letter to a company you would like to work for asking for a job interview.
• Call the hiring manager and ask for a job interview.
• Look for Help wanted signs in windows.
• Attend Job Fairs. (Check out our Job Fair page to find out when the next one will be held at Spoon River College)
• Sign up for a temp agency.
• Work with your college career center.
• Visit an Illinois One Stop Career Center.
• Apply to five companies every day.

New Job Advice

Congratulations on your new job. The SEARCH is over. If you think you can relax now, that is hardly the case. If you think it was hard work finding a job, keeping a job is even tougher. The first week you are on the job, you will be meeting new people, and first impressions are being formed. You are being sized up to see if you will be successful in your new job. Remember to stay positive and know that people are watching you closely. And most importantly, be confident. You have what it takes to be successful on the job.

Here are some tips to remember:
• Show a positive attitude about everything and with everyone.
• Dress professionally. Take pride in your appearance.
• Show loyalty to your co-workers, and be a great team player.
• Remember everybody’s names as quickly as possible.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Ask lots of questions.
• Take good notes and go to all orientations.
• Volunteer to do things, be proactive, and ask for projects to do, show enthusiasm.
• Be on time, come early and stay late.
• Avoid office politics and gossip.
• Show appreciation.
• Get and stay organized.
• And finally, find a mentor at work if you can.