Undergraduate Blog / Career Development

How to Make the Most of Your Career Search over Winter Break

This post was written by Peer Career Ambassador Jaclyn Gaines ’16.

With finals week in full swing and winter break quickly approaching, it can be easy to lose sight of the career search process. But just because you are officially on winter vacation, don’t let your career search take a break as well! Instead, use this free time to your advantage in advancing your job search. Whether you are looking for an internship or a full-time position, here are some quick tips to help you be productive over winter break:

  1. Polish your Resume

Make sure your resume is up to date and includes all of your most recent experiences. Since the fall semester is over, make sure to update your resume to include any relevant classes or academic projects. Or maybe you participated in a fall semester internship – It is a great idea to use this free time to reflect on your experiences and update them on your resume. If you need some additional resume advice, be sure to check out Career Beam on the Hub!

  1. Leverage your Network

Check out your LinkedIn page and make sure that your profile is up to date and as complete as possible. Be sure to connect with past employers or professors from the fall semester. Once your profile is updated, it is time to start working the power of LinkedIn. See who you know and where they are and if there are any opportunities available that interest you. Don’t underestimate the power of informational interviews – Winter break is a great time to reconnect with some of your connections on LinkedIn and get advice.

  1. Apply! Apply! Apply!

Simply stated, you cannot get the job if you don’t apply for the job. Take advantage of some of your free time over break and put some thought and effort into completing job applications. It is key that your tailor your resume and cover letters to the positions you are applying to so make sure to read the job descriptions thoroughly and understand what type of candidate the company is looking for.

The last (and maybe most important tip) – Enjoy your break! And remember, if you have any questions about how to enhance your career search, be sure to visit CCD!