Job Search

Follow the links below to guide you through all of the pieces you will need for a successful job search.  Career Coaches are here to help you every step of the way.  Be sure to collect your Viking Score points as you complete each activity.

Senior Roadmap | 6 Viking Score points
A comprehensive checklist of what you need to do now to increase your chances of getting a job prior to graduation.

Career Goal Activity  | 20 Viking Score points
Career goals provide a roadmap for your professional journey, helping you stay motivated, make informed decisions, and ultimately achieve success and fulfillment in your chosen career path.

Research Employers and Graduate/Professional School Programs | 4 Viking Score points
Researching employers or graduate/professional school programs is a crucial step in making informed career decisions. It helps you assess whether a particular company or school program is the right fit for you and whether it offers the opportunities and environment you desire. This research empowers you to make more informed choices about your career path and job prospects.

Identify Your Career Readiness Skills
identifying your career readiness skills is a fundamental step in career planning and development. It empowers you to make informed decisions, stand out in the job or grad school market, and pursue a career that aligns with your strengths and aspirations.

Handshake Profile | 2 Viking Score points
Handshake allows students to schedule appointments with CORE, find career development resources, connect with employers, locate internship, part-time, and full-time positions, and register for career events.  Having a complete profile makes it easier for relevant opportunities to be highlighted for you.

LinkedIn Profile | 2 Viking Score points
Having a complete LinkedIn profile is essential for building a strong online professional presence, expanding your network, and advancing your career. It helps you make a positive impression on potential employers, connect with like-minded professionals, and access a wide range of career opportunities and resources.

Update your Resumes & Cover Letters then have a Resume Review | 4 Viking Score points
A resume is a vital tool in the job search process. It enables you to present your qualifications effectively, make a strong first impression, and advance through the hiring process. Additionally, it serves as a reference point for both you and employers, aiding in interviews and career planning.

Interview Prep or Practice/Mock Interview | 6 Viking Score points
The secret to interviewing is preparation and practice. While all jobs and all interviewers are not the same, there are certain questions that are usually asked of candidates during an interview. Even if you consider yourself an expert communicator, interviewing takes skill and preparation.

Prepare an Elevator Pitch
To make a positive first impression when meeting new people, in person or virtually, having a solid elevator pitch at the ready will help you, along with a warm smile, direct eye contact, a firm handshake or confident wave.

Interviewing Attire | 4 Viking Score points
In a professional environment, you will be evaluated on your professionalism. This includes how you present yourself. Employers and organizations can assume that how you present yourself for an interview is a reflection of your best self. Likewise, dressing professionally may boost your confidence, giving you an extra leg up on the other candidates.

Develop your Networking Skills
Networking is a valuable activity that can bring numerous benefits to your personal and professional life. It can open doors to opportunities, provide knowledge and support, and help you achieve your goals. Cultivating and maintaining a strong network is an essential part of career and personal development.

Target List of Employers/Graduate School Programs | 4 Viking Score points
A target list is a list of organizations where you would like to work or graduate programs you would like to attend.  These may be companies and schools that tend to offer jobs and programs that fit your interests, organizations that have the company culture you desire, and/or organizations with a mission you believe in. They are employers you would love to work for, given the opportunity.

References and Letters of Recommendation | 4 Viking Score points
A reference is someone who can talk about your skills, experience, abilities, and work ethic. A potential employer may call them and ask questions about you. Letters of recommendation are written evaluations of an individual’s performance whether at work or in the classroom. This information is an integral part of the world of education, health care, social services and many other industries. You can gather letters of recommendation from instructors, advisers, supervisors or anyone who has witnessed your abilities.

Forage Enables Students to Upskill & Land Amazing Careers

Launched in 2017, Forage invented the virtual work experience. Forage gives any student, from any diverse starting point in the world, the chance to see behind the curtains of the best companies around the world and start careers there–100% free …

By Laura Kestner-Ricketts
Laura Kestner-Ricketts Executive Director, Career and Professional Development
Read more

Until Next Time

Many of you met our friend Kathryn at the Playhouse this summer.

We’re sad to see her internship come to an end. We asked her to share a little about her experience and below is what she had to say!

By Lisa Slater
Lisa Slater Marketing & Events Coordinator
Read more

NEW COURSE: Career and Life Design: Strategies for Career Success

New J-Term Course designed for juniors and seniors focused on Career Success!

Develop short- and long-term career strategies
Dive into the career reflection and planning process
Gain the necessary knowledge and key tools to design a career strategy
Execute a …

By Laura Kestner-Ricketts
Laura Kestner-Ricketts Executive Director, Career and Professional Development
Read more

THE PLACE OF RELIGION IN JOB-HUNTING

Author: Dick Bolles, original post

A reader asks:

I’ve noticed some reader feedback on amazon.com, claiming your book is too religious. Why do you feel it’s necessary to include so much religion in your famous book? Why not stick to …

By Laura Kestner-Ricketts
Laura Kestner-Ricketts Executive Director, Career and Professional Development
Read more

7 Job Search Tips You Can Learn from Pro Athletes

Dawn Dugan, Salary.com contributing writer

Americans love their professional sports. According to recent survey done by ESPN, 74% of Americans watch four or more hours of professional sports on television per week!

As we root for our favorite teams and …

By College Recruiter
College Recruiter believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.
Read more

Sidebar

Career Resources

Environment-specific Internship and Job Search Sites
Environmental Professional Associations

A professional association, or professional organization, is an association made up of members who are part of the same industry …

Environmental Careers

What Can I do with this Major

This resource provides information about majors and the occupations commonly associated with it. …

Build Your LinkedIn Profile

When it comes to creating a LinkedIn profile specifically tailored for college students, the focus should be on making a …

How to Write a Strong LinkedIn Headline & Profile Summary

Instead of just your job title, craft a headline that highlights your skills, interests, or what you’re currently seeking.

Tips …

LinkedIn Photo

CORE Commons: Weekdays 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Your LinkedIn profile picture is a key part of your online presence. Research shows …

Labor Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Explore occupations by career categories and pathways and use real time labor market data to power your decision making.

First, choose an industry of interest, then filter for occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Skill Building Courses

Delivering Employee Feedback

Taught by Todd Dewett
As a manager, you’re charged with helping your employees stretch and grow their skills. This is largely accomplished via the…

Running Effective Design Critiques

Taught by Tom Green
Most people want and appreciate feedback and constructive criticism about their work—until they get it. If done poorly, a critique…

Coaching New Hires

Taught by Jenny Blake
Welcoming a new team member can involve excitement and nerves—on both sides. This course helps managers find ways to help…

Considering Transferable Skills in Talent Acquisition and Retention

Taught by Don Phin
If you’re an employee, identifying and utilizing your transferable skills can lead to career opportunities and growth. If you’re an…

Coaching New Managers

Taught by Jenny Blake
Of all the changes, promotions, and advancements you may receive at work, few are as impactful as the change from…

Effective Sponsorship Across Difference (for Sponsors)

Taught by Vernā Myers
An organization’s ability to attract and keep great talent depends on its ability to cultivate diverse people on every level…

Leadership through Feedback

Taught by Madecraft
If you’re not providing timely and effective feedback, you are not being the best leader that you can be. In…

Diverse Talent in Recruiting and Hiring

Taught by Christie Lindor
Workplace diversity and inclusion is a key priority area for organizations large and small. Hiring managers need to be able…

Adopting the Habits of Elite Performers

Taught by Pete Mockaitis | How to Be Awesome at Your Job
A mentor is more than just someone who tells you that you’ve done a good job. You need a mentor…

Building Your Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline

Taught by Tia Hopkins
Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, infrastructures are becoming more complex, and hiring and retaining cybersecurity resources is becoming increasingly difficult.…

Performance Management: Conducting Performance Reviews

Taught by Todd Dewett
Performance reviews can have a huge impact on your employee’s future. In this short course, the second installment in the…

Attracting, Hiring, and Working with Gen Z

Taught by Sophie Wade
The youngest and most digitally literate generation is now entering the workforce: Generation Z, also known as post-millennials. Gen Z…

Hiring and Managing UX Professionals

Taught by Cory Lebson
UX professionals help shape your product into something your users will love. You need people with the creative skills to…

Evaluating Your Growth as a Leader

Taught by Todd Dewett
Everyone knows that their progress will be reviewed with a regular performance evaluation. In addition, they might receive bits of…

Taking the Fear out of Feedback

Taught by Pete Mockaitis | How to Be Awesome at Your Job
What’s the best way to give and receive effective feedback? How do you hold feedback conversations without all the angst…

Coach Your Team to Learn, Stretch, and Grow

Taught by Ruth Gotian
Setting the bar high for curiosity and innovation is critical if you want your team to succeed. But how do…

Disability Readiness for Leaders and Managers

Taught by Tarena Shanaberger
As a manager, you play a key role in ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can contribute fully to…

Giving and Receiving Feedback

Taught by Dr Gemma Leigh Roberts
All professionals are trying to get better at what they do. No matter where you work, or what your role,…

Nano Tips for Giving and Receiving Feedback with Lorraine K. Lee

Taught by Lorraine K. Lee
Welcome to our Nano Tips series, where LinkedIn Learning creators deliver impactful lessons in literally seconds. In this installment, discover…

LSC- 401: Career and Life Design: Strategies for Career Success

Taught by Shelby Olson
For SENIORS considering or pursuing grad school, job search, gap year, or those with no plan Using an innovative framework…

Contact & Location

Phone
309-794-7339
Address

Olin Center
639 38th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

Career Service Hours

Day of the week
Office is Open Drop-Ins (When Classes Are In Session)
Monday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Drop-in topics include:

  • Resume & Cover Letter Review
  • Resume & Cover Letter Writing
  • Viking Score Overview
  • LinkedIn Headshot Photo
  • Career Resources Overview