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40 Job Search Checklist

Use this checklist, or the downloadable Word version below, to track your progress and ensure you have completed all the necessary job search steps.

Job Search Preparation Essentials

JOB/CAREER GOAL

RESUME/COVER LETTER

  • Have you tailored your documents to include keywords?
  • Have you had your documents reviewed?
    • Book an appointment with Conestoga’s Career and Employment Advising department on the Student Success Portal.

Job Search Essentials

ONLINE JOB BOARDS

RESEARCH EMPLOYERS

  • Generate a list of employers that interest you
  • Visit company websites to see if they have jobs posted that are not advertised on online job boards

NETWORKING

  • Brainstorm a list of your contacts
  • Keep in contact with previous professors, program coordinators, supervisors, and colleagues
  • Connect with professionals for informational interviews
  • Attend events relevant to your field
  • Expand your network through social groups: Eventbrite, Meetup

ONLINE NETWORKING/SOCIAL MEDIA (LINKEDIN)

  • Complete your LinkedIn profile
  • Follow companies that relate to your field of interest
  • Connect with professionals for informational interviews

JOB FAIRS

  • Check with your college’s career centre to find information about upcoming events

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Ask employers that interest you if they are looking for volunteers

COLD CONTACTS (in person, by email, or by phone)

  • Use business directories, business journals, and professional associations to generate a list: Yellow Pages

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES (temp or permanent opportunities)

  • Register and follow up regularly (if applicable)

Interview Essentials

INTERVIEW

  • Have you scheduled a mock interview?

REFERENCES

  • Have you contacted your references?

Download Job Search Checklist [opens a Word document (.docx)].

Originally adapted from Job Search Checklist in Be the Boss of Your Career: A Complete Guide for Students & Grads, copyright © 2021 by Lindsay Bortot and the Employment Support Centre, Algonquin College, which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.