Co Op and Job Search

Job search websites, such as Handshake and LinkedIn, are a great way to find the jobs you are looking for based on location, salary, employment classification, and more. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you keep your profiles up- to- date. Recruiters and employers may reach out to you and try to learn more about you through your profile. If your profile is not current, this can prevent you from landing your dream role. 

However, it is also important to practice digital safety. Job search websites operate similarly to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Although job search websites try to look out for any misuse, there is no guarantee that you won’t find a posting with questionable legitimacy. If you have any questions about whether or not a position or company is legitimate, please reach out to your Career Coach or Career Advisor.

Go to Search Tools

Handshake is specifically built for students and recent graduates to find co-op and full-time positions, making it a great spot to begin or continue your search. All UC students have Handshake access for free using their UC 6+2 login.

  1. Visit the University of Cincinnati’s Handshake login page (https://uc.joinhandshake.com/)

  1. Click “University of Cincinnati Student Login”

  1. Login using your 6+2 information 

 

LinkedIn is a leader in the job search process. With its comprehensive network building and job search functions, LinkedIn is a great resource for searching for jobs and connecting with professionals, peers, and alumni.

  1. Visit LinkedIn’s login page (https://www.linkedin.com/signup)

  1. Type your personal or university email address and choose a password

 

Finding the Right Job

Target Market

Creating your target market is an opportunity to think about what you want out of a job. What inspires you may come from likes vs. dislikes, non-negotiables vs. negotiables, and more. As guidance, here are a few aspects to consider as you are building your target market:

  • Geographic location

  • Industry

  • Size of organization

  • Organizational culture 

 

Ideal List of Companies

Now that you have considered what your ideal market looks like, you can begin to think about companies that fall within that. If you are only able to come up with a few companies, we encourage you to try to expand your ideal market and speak with your network for assistance, such as your Lindner Career Services Career Advisor, professors, and peers.        

Once you have come up with a target list of companies, as you apply for jobs, we recommend using a job search tracker. This will help you stay organized throughout this process and provide space to input information about each individual position you apply for.

Upskilling

Upskilling is a great opportunity to learn new skills and refine those you’ve already developed. Based on the research of your ideal list of companies that you have made, upskilling ideas often come right from their posted job descriptions. Additionally, these are skills that can be represented on your resume and LinkedIn account, making them great talking points during an interview. 

Forage is a grant-funded, free resource for students, professionals, and alumni to learn more about different companies and perform virtual job simulations applicable to on-the-job skills that companies are looking for in a candidate. Additionally, Forage awards a certificate to those who complete the job simulations, in which you can share it on your LinkedIn, Handshake, and resume!

  1. Visit Forage's login page (https://www.theforage.com/)

  1. Click “Get Started”

  1. Type your personal or university email address and choose a password

 

LinkedIn Learning is a free resource for all UC students that provides opportuntities to learn more about soft and hard skills of interest. From “Communicating with Confidence” to “Implementing Supply Chain Management”, there are many courses you can take to upskill. 

  1. Visit LinkedIn Learning’s login page (https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/)

  1. It is advised to use your UC email address.

  1. You will be redirected to login using your 6+2

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions about resume development, schedule an appointment with your Career Advisor on My Bearcat Network!  

Fall and Spring Semester Hours   

During the academic year, Lindner Career Services is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.   

  

Drop-in Hours   

Drop-in peer career coaching is available Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m. in Lindner Hall, Suite 1420 during the fall and spring semesters.   

Please contact your assigned Career Advisor for their specific drop-in hours.