Career Center > Jobs & Internships > Job & Internship Search Basics

Job & Internship Search Basics


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Introduction to Career Experiences
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Finding an Internship or Job

Finding and applying for a job or internship is a process that can take time. Going into that process with a clear plan and intention can help boost your chance of success. Throughout your internship or job search process, the Career Center is here to support you ! In addition to our other resources (like Career Coaching, our Career Library​, and Career Fairs and events)​, we have this overview page to help get you started. There are also a number of other career experiences​ that can help you build experience and skills to prepare for an internship or job. 

To define your career direction, start by considering your major, the fields/industries that interest you most, and your ideal job. Make a list of the types of experience you want to gain and the companies you’d like to work for—don't hesitate to cast a wide net. Targeting various roles and job functions within a field can help you maximize your opportunities. 

- Stay informed by curating a list of journals, blogs, and professional organizations that provide up-to-date trends in your industry. 
- Take time to research the career paths that lead to your dream job, identifying the best starting points and planning for potential challenges along the way.
- Additionally, explore job titles that interest you, noting the required qualifications, skills, and responsibilities to better understand what employers are seeking.

There are a variety of online tools and resources to help you land the right opportunity. Don't forget to check out DePaul's quarterly career fairs, too. Employers come to campus with available job and internship opportunities!

Handshake

Explore thousands of job and internship opportunities from employers looking to hire DePaul students and alumni.

Explore Handshake

Industry-Specific Job Boards

These online boards can be helpful especially if you are looking to land an internship in a specific industry or career field.

Find a Job Board

Professional Organization Websites

The mission of these organizations is to further the advancement of a particular profession and its workers.

Find an Organization

Job Alerts on Indeed

Indeed is a free service allowing you to upload a resume, create job alert emails, search open positions and apply directly.

Set Up Job Alerts

LinkedIn Job Board

Find job and internship opportunities tailored to fit the skills and experience included in your LinkedIn profile.

Explore Openings

Networking Opportunities

Connect with professionals who can share knowledge and opportunities to further your career.

Learn More

Begin seeking opportunities to have conversations with emerging and mid-career professionals, cultivating a community of mentors and peers. There are plenty of ways to start connecting, including

 

- Informational Interviews: An informational interview is a brief meeting with someone currently working in your field of interest that offers you an insider's perspective. The purpose is to better understand a particular position or industry and make connections.

- Alumni Outreach:  Connect with professionals in your areas of interest, family members, friends and others to seek advice and thoughts on potential internships. DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) Network is an excellent source for insights and information.

- Career Fairs & Events: There are a variety of job and internship fairs at DePaul each year. Connect with employers from Chicago and beyond who are seeking candidates from all educational and experience backgrounds.

- Conferences:  A meeting of professionals in a given subject or profession. This is a great way to connect and stay up-to-date on industry and professional trends.

Having effective job search documents is crucial to standing out and marketing yourself to employers. Essential documents include:

Cover Letter: A cover letter provides context for the resume. It makes a claim about what experiences and skills qualify you for the job or opportunity. Each cover letter should be tailored to a specific application.

Resume: A resume is a conventional one-page document that presents evidence of the skills and knowledge you possess. While the formatting is important, the content has to align with the role or opportunity you are seeking.

Personal Statement: This may be called a statement of purpose, personal statement, or letter of intent. Some statements require specific information while others leave the applicant free to address a wide range of topics.

Portfolio: A portfolio is a presentation of your best work and demonstration of your skills. Portfolios can be used when applying for internships and jobs, gaining freelance clients and applying to graduate school.

It’s beneficial to apply to any and all positions that seem interesting and in line with your career direction. Most internships and jobs are highly competitive—some with hundreds of applicants—so playing the numbers maximizes your chances of success.

Once you get interviews scheduled, do your homework to familiarize yourself with the company and position. This will help you prepare for likely questions, develop a few of your own, and make a great impression.
Follow up with a thank-you note/email immediately after every interview.

 

Academic Courses

2-credit Internship & Job Search Course

If you're ready to start applying to jobs/internships, but you're not sure where to start, then check out CLD 215: Launch Your Search: Job & Internship Search Strategies. This 2-credit course helps you design a customized search strategy that will position you for success in landing your dream job or internship! 

Fulfill your Experiential Learning requirement

Once you do land a job or internship, consider applying to connect it to an academic course. The Department of Career & Life Design also offers CLD 250: Navigating the Workplace, a 4-credit, fully online course that will help you make the most of your career experience and fulfill DePaul's experiential learning requirement. (Note that applications are approved on a rolling basis, so get your application in as soon as possible.) You can also check with your college, school, or department to see if they offer an internship course internal to your program.​

When is the best time to intern?
Do an internship any time you can get one. Be sure to factor in academic load, specific career goals, industries that interest you and whether you can financially accept both paid and unpaid opportunities. Most companies offer internships year-round while some only offer summer sessions. Do your research and plan accordingly!