The Job Search Journal: Instructions And Guidelines

Steinbright Career Development Center3201 Arch Street, Suite 250Philadelphia, PA 19104(215) 895-2185www.drexel.edu/scdcThe Job Search Journal: Instructions and GuidelinesPURPOSEThe Job Search Journal has a dual purpose. Its primary function is to facilitate the job search process by providingstructure and organization. Additionally, it can assist you in receiving credit for your co-op experience by showingconcrete evidence of an active and meaningful job search.The Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) recognizes that the pursuit of a meaningful co-op experiencecan be a lengthy process, and the actual job search process can provide as much of a learning experience as the jobitself. If you are conducting an independent job search and do not find a job until after the official start of the co-opcycle, you can submit the Job Search Journal to your coordinator to for approval to receive credit for co-op.Depending on the timeframe that you submit your journal, you could potentially be eligible for either “DirectorApproved Credit” or the job registration.** PLEASE NOTE: The Job Search Journal will only be approved if you have a signed Petition for Co-op Crediton file. The petition must be signed and submitted to the SCDC by the end of the second week of the first term ofthe co-op cycle, if a position has not been found by that time.CONTENTThe Job Search Journal should contain the required components described below, on which you will be evaluatedfor co-op credit:Resume: A well-written and error-free resume.Written Correspondence: Copies of cover letters and emails or written correspondence to and from employers.Contact Log: This document provides a format to indicate all of the companies and contacts that have been madethroughout the job search. The contact log should track the name of the contacts, addresses, and descriptions of thecorrespondence you have made with them. This will help you remember to whom you still need to send a thankyou letter, what date you have scheduled an interview, and so on. The results of your contacts with companiesshould be documented.Weekly Tracking Form: Your Job Search Journal will be approved as long as the documentation shows that youhave completed at least 20 hours per week of job search. A description of your daily activities, including timespent, should be tracked on this form. This may help you reflect on your job search experience and consider howthe results may impact future activities. In addition, you should note what you have learned through the processthat will illustrate your efforts. Some examples of topics to include on your Weekly Tracking Form are: Techniques of contacting employers that were most and least effective. New information you may have learned about your industry from your research. Ideas of other types of companies, jobs and resources you will investigate in the following week(s). Ideas as to how you will work on strengthening interviewing, networking and job search skills.Activity Log: The activity log provides examples of things that you can do to enhance your job search, as well asplaces you can visit to increase opportunities for networking. You should record all of your activities in this log inorder to provide evidence that you were conducting a thorough job search.Additional Notes: You should also include copies of any pertinent job search documents. Specifically, you shouldinclude: Brochures or other employer information gathered at job fairs or networking events. Printouts of websites, newspaper classifieds, professional journals, employer directories or other guidesused to assist your job search.It is recommended that you create a folder or binder to contain all of your materials.8/2/2005

EXPECTATIONSThe Job Search Journal should demonstrate that you were actively engaged in a meaningful job search for at least20 hours per week. This is based on the fact that a minimum of 20 hours per week is the amount of time equivalentto that of an unpaid co-op position.EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF JOURNALIf you have not found a position by the end of the second week of the first term of co-op, you will be required toschedule a meeting with your coordinator to review the expectations of the Job Search Journal and discuss yourindependent job search.To receive credit for the Job Search Journal, it must be submitted for review by Friday of Week 8 of your secondterm or, if your co-op is only one term, Week 8 of that term. Your journal will be evaluated and approved basedon several features, including but not limited to: An error-free and professional resume. Evidence of professional written correspondence with employers (such as email communication, coverletters, thank you letters, and all other forms of written communication). Consistent and appropriate number of contacts based on major and industry; all contacts should be cited onyour Contact Log. Evidence that you were actively engaged in the job search process at least 20 hours per week using theWeekly Tracking Form. Documentation that proves your participation in a variety of job search activities (copies of websites, jobfair brochures, etc.). A neat and organized journal, with the information added in an orderly fashion so that your coordinatorcan clearly ascertain the extent of your job search.Your coordinator will evaluate your efforts in the above categories using a rating scale; the total score willdetermine whether or not your journal is approved. If your journal is not initially approved, you will have oneadditional opportunity to submit the necessary information, and your journal will be re-evaluated. If you receive aborderline rating, you will be required to submit an additional assignment for final consideration. Should you notbe issued credit for the journal, you will receive a Failed Work Term for the term(s) of co-op under review.**If you have only 5 weeks remaining in your co-op and you have still not secured a position, you are eligibleto work in a volunteer position, which may or may not be related to your field of study. For more informationon volunteer opportunities, please refer to Drexel University’s Center for Civic Engagementhttp://www.drexel.edu/cce/.IMPORTANT POINTS* Always send a cover letter: This is a tool to introduce yourself and explain to the employer why you would be agood candidate for the position.* Follow up with the employer: It is important to follow up your application with a phone call, preferably withinone week. This demonstrates genuine interest in the position and will help remind the employer of yourapplication.* Making cold calls: When making cold calls, be prepared to explain the co-op process and most importantly,yourself and your interest in the position. If the employer shows interest, follow up with resume and cover letter.* Always send a thank you note: A thank you note should be sent after every interview, whether it is via email ora handwritten note (as long as you have good handwriting!). This could be the difference between getting the joband not getting the job.I understand the policies and procedures surrounding the Job Search Journal.Student SignatureDateCo-op Coordinator SignatureDateStudent ID NumberDeadline Dates for Journal Submission8/2/2005

EMPLOYER CONTACT rviewDate:Result/NotesCompany NameContact:Address:Phone:E-mail:Lead source:Position sought:Company Name:Contact:Address:Phone:E-mail:Lead source:Position sought:Company Name:Contact:Address:Phone:E-mail:Lead source:Position sought:** "Coorespondence Type" includes: cover letters, thank you notes, emails, phone calls or any other type of contact made to the employer.**

JOB SEARCH ACTIVITY LOGInstructions: Every time you complete any of the recommended activities listed below, have a representative sign and date yourform. Use the "Outcome Section" to detail the results of the activities that you completed. Please list any comments or additionalinformation about the activity in the boxes provided. Attach any materials that were useful in your search.Meet With LibraryAssistantAttend Career Fair/Job /SignatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome gnatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome :Date/SignatureDate/SignatureDate/SignatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome gnatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome :Date/SignatureDate/SignatureDate/SignatureAttend a SCDCDate/SignatureSponsored WorkshopMeet or Contact With Date/Signature

Co-op CoordinatorOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome gnatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome :Date/SignatureDate/SignatureDate/SignatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome gnatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome gnatureOutcome :Outcome :Outcome :Outcome :Conduct anDate/SignatureInformational InterviewResume Critique

Job Search Journal Weekly Tracking FormThe purpose of this form is to reflect on the job search activities that you are performing on a daily basis. Thisform should be used to identify techniques and activities that are both successful and unsuccessful in yoursearch. As part of the job search journal, you will need to track the total amount of time that you spend searchingfor a job on a weekly basis.Monday/ Date:Total amount of time spent:Narrative/breakdown and outcome of job search activities:Tuesday/ Date:Total amount of time spent:Narrative and outcome of job search activities:Wednesday/ Date:Total amount of time spent:Narrative and outcome of job search activities:Thursday/ Date:Total amount of time spent:Narrative and outcome of job search activities:Friday/ Date:Total amount of time spent:Narrative and outcome of job search activities:Sat./Sun./ Date(s):Narrative and outcome of job search activities:Plans for next step:Total amount of time spent for this week: hoursTotal amount of time spent:

Resume: A well-written and error-free resume. Written Correspondence: Copies of cover letters and emails or written correspondence to and from employers. Contact Log: This document provides a format to indicate all of the companies an