Finding the right job can take time and effort – and what’s right for you isn’t necessarily what’s right for someone else. Fortunately, LCCC has the resources you need to prepare a personalized plan for success – and to land a great job.

Resumes, Cover Letters and References

In today’s highly competitive job market, employers are often swamped with a high number of applicants. Your resume may only have seconds to capture their attention. You need a compelling document that will demonstrate the match between your education, skills and experience and the prospective employer’s needs. You want to generate enough interest and curiosity to make the reader want to invite you in for an interview.

Your resume and cover letter are your personal sales tools to market your qualifications to prospective employers. Learn the key ingredients to a well-written resume and cover letter and how to make yours stand out among the competition.

Visit our Canvas page for examples of resumes, cover letters, and references.

Networking and Social Media Strategies

Networking is an essential tool that will benefit you throughout your career. It is estimated that at least 60% of jobs are found through this method. Networking is learning about career fields and industries, job leads, internship opportunities. It’s about making connections and building professional relationships. 

You need an elevator speech or personal infomercial – a short introduction of your career goals, experience, and education – to succinctly communicate your brand in networking situations and during interviews.

The ever expanding influence and impact of social media includes our professional lives.  The image that you project on social media can help you expand your professional network and stand out to hiring managers. Conversely, your social media image may cause an employer to think twice about extending you a job offer, especially if they find inappropriate content posted on one of your accounts.

Social media can also be a really useful tool when you’re researching potential careers or preparing for interviews  or growing your professional network.

With over 400 million users across the globe, LinkedIn is a great tool for professional networking, searching for jobs and internships, and researching potential industries, companies and job markets. You can also use other platforms, like Twitter and Facebook to professionally market yourself online.    

How to Prepare for an Interview

While the resume gets you the interview, it’s the interview that will get you the job! The secret to performing well in the interview is to be prepared, to get you one step closer to hearing those sweet words, “you’re hired!” 

NEW!  LCCC is excited to now leverage OhioMeansJobs’ access to Big Interview to help you prepare for any interview with helpful video tutorials and virtual interviews. Record your answers and share them with Career Services. You can then schedule an appointment to get personalized Mock Interview Feedback, so when the time comes, you can perform confidently to land that job.  Just follow these steps:

  1. Visit OhioMeansJobs website to register. 
  2. Once you register and log in, navigate to: Practice Interviews and Tips (monster.com)  Click “Visit Interview Practice Center”
  3. Participate in a Practice session (In the ribbon up top), choosing “Practice Interviews”
  4. Start a new mock Interview by selecting one.
  5. When prompted, record your responses to the questions asked.
  6. After you are done, share your responses with careers@lorainccc.edu .
  7. Schedule an appointment for mock interview feedback by calling (440) 366-4076.

Negotiating a Job Offer

A good percentage of employers are willing to negotiate, yet many job seekers find the process extremely stressful and take the first offer.  Successful negotiation starts with knowing yourself and what’s right for you, followed by understanding how and when to ask for what you want. You need to know your value in the marketplace while also understanding the employer’s needs and constraints. Career Services is here to offer tips and guide you through the process.   

Workshops and Events

No matter where you are in your career search, LCCC Career Services can help, including with free workshops.

Throughout the academic year, the Career Services hosts a variety of workshops and events to enhance your job search skills and network with employers and industry experts.  

Landing A Federal Government Job

The federal government provides regularly scheduled online workshops on how to find and apply for a federal job, prepare a federal resume, and interview for an opportunity with the federal government. There are also special sessions on employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and pathways programs to recruit and hire students and recent graduates into federal careers.

The USAJOBS website provides information on how to create a USAJOBS profile, the federal application process, and opportunities in high demand. This site also discusses the federal government’s hiring paths and eligibility requirements.

Questions

For more information about any of these services, please call LCCC Career Services at 440-366-4076.