How to search for a job  

Searching for a job can be time-intensive. Here are some tips to make sure that your time search for jobs is well spent:

• Be creative and start early.
• Use a variety of online sources to find jobs.
• Learn what your peers did to find a job.
• Take the time to explore job titles and descriptions – some companies may be looking for scientists but list positions using other titles such as engineer or product developer.

Helpful hint: Don’t be afraid to approach companies that interest you and ask them the best way to pursue employment with their company. Sometimes it may require volunteering or taking a lower-level position to eventually get your desired position.

Where to search

The best place to start searching for a job is online. There are several university and professional job databases that list jobs within the state and throughout the country.

University job databases

• Jobs for Jacks (NAU’s employment database) – contains an array of jobs ranging from student worker jobs to full time jobs after graduation.

Government database

• Government jobs – usajobs.gov. All government jobs including the Forestry Service, US Geological Survey, and the Park Services are listed on this database.

Professional databases

• Search professional organizations in your area(s) of interest for potential jobs or scholarships. List of professional organizations: http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Organizations/Professional/ 

Other search options

• Visit company or organization sites to view their available job openings. Some jobs may only be posted for one week, so check frequently.

NAU organizations and departments with job listings and opportunities

• CEFNS undergraduate research 
• School of Forestry job listings
• Landsward’s student connections newsletter 

Merriam - Powell Center's weekly update: Websites for the top employers in Flagstaff, Arizona

• City of Flagstaff jobs: http://www.flagstaff.az.gov/index.asp 
• Coconino County: http://www.coconino.az.gov/ 
• Federal government jobs via www.usajobs.gov. Top agencies include Forest Services, US Geological Survey, and Census.
• Northern Arizona University: www.nau.edu/hr 
• Coconino Community College: http://www.coconino.edu/ 
• Joy Cone: http://www.joycone.com/ 
• W.L. Gore: http://www.gore.com/en_xx/ 
• Flagstaff Unified School District: http://www.fusd1.org/fusd1/site/default.asp 
• Flagstaff Medical Center: http://www.flagstaffmedicalcenter.com/default  
• Walgreens: www.walgreens.com 
• Purina: www.purina.com  
• Coconino County Career Center: http://www.coconino.az.gov/careercenter.aspx?id=2302 

Search engine tips

Use the following tips when using popular search engines to find jobs:

• spell words correctly and avoid slang
• use AND to search for multiple words
• use NOT to exclude certain words
• use OR to include any of the words or phrases
• when searching for phrases, use quotes around the phrase to search for the entire phrase, for example “CEFNS employment database”

Search newspapers or telephone books

Newspapers are still an excellent resource for listed jobs in your community:

• look in the WANTED, CLASSIFIED, JOB or CAREER sections

Arizona Newspapers 

http://newslink.org/AZnews.html 

Telephone Books 

Use the yellow pages to identify employers by subject or fields of interest in the towns or cities where you hope to work.

Online social networks

Use your network to find a job. Family, friends, and professors can help you with your search – more voices are better than one.

Networking tips

• Continually expand your personal network. Use online social networking sites like LinkedIn or Networking for Professionals. This is a great way to connect with professionals in your field.
• Subscribe to groups. Some online groups can link you to job openings or current trends through twitter, texting, or emails. For example, construction management majors can learn about vacancies through twitter at: http://twitter.com/GetCMJobs.
• Acquire more networking tips via our online networking video.