How to Get a Job: A Guide for Auburn Students
If your high school savings are running low or your parents are starting to pull the plug, you may need to start making a little cash.
That’s totally fine; it’s an important step toward growing up. But if you’ve never worked before, applying for a job may be intimidating.
Thankfully, Auburn offers students many opportunities to work hard, make a little money, and get some meaningful life experience. But how do you find those (and other) opportunities? Here are five quick ways:
Check your inbox!
Many department heads and professors will send out regular e-mails sharing tips and opportunities for employment and internships. My advisor, Ric Smith, sends out monthly posts full of internship opportunities with campus organizations, local companies and national businesses. Not every department offers this service, but many of them do.
Visit the Career Center!
Not sure whether to include your high school honors on your resume? No idea what a CV is? Auburn has a wonderful, dedicated resource, the Career Center, designed to help you figure things out. They’ll give you a gorgeous (and free!) manual for writing the perfect resume, and they’ll go through yours, offering tips along the way. Prepping for an interview? They’ll help you with mock interviews and feedback – even after you graduate!
Go online!
Have you set up your LinkedIn yet? Yes, it sounds very adult-ish, but a solid LinkedIn profile can put you on a company’s radar. And don’t forget Handshake, either. In case you haven’t read any of the dozen emails Auburn has sent you about it, Handshake is basically LinkedIn for Auburn students, and employers go there to list jobs, to search for applicants, and to connect with the Auburn community.
Practice your interview skills!
Before a job interview, you’ll need to prepare. And a quick Google search of the company doesn’t count. Sit down, grab a notebook and start taking notes. Find the organization’s about page on their website. They’ll share their mission, values, etc. on there. Discover what they care about, and keep that in mind during your interview.
Also, research common interview questions for the job. Make sure you can answer those, like really well. What’s your biggest weakness? That’s a tough one, especially if they’re putting you on the spot. Here’s how to prep for it.
Research like it’s an upcoming final exam, except instead of taking a test, you’re trying to talk people into giving you money to do stuff for them. It’s a big deal (especially if you’re traveling just for the interview), so prepare for it like one.
But on the other hand, don’t psych yourself out. If you’re visibly nervous and uncomfortable in the interview, it’s going to send the wrong message. Practice for a bit, and find your perfect balance.
Come to RECxpo!
Shameless plug, but whatever. RECxpo is Auburn Campus Recreation’s semiannual job fair from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 23. Featuring nine departments and a casual atmosphere, RECxpo offers students the chance to gain meaningful experience, connect with other members of the Auburn family, and (most importantly) get paid! Whether you’re a freshman or senior, graphic designer or aerospace engineer, there’s a place for you at Campus Recreation.
Oh, and don’t worry about bringing a resume. We’re chill like that. Just grab a friend, come to The Rec, and learn about some of the cool ways we’re helping students on campus. You know, by paying them money to do stuff for us.
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Cat S.
Editor
Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, Jack is studying public relations with a dual minor in marketing and psychology. An ENFP, Jack loves to be around people and to talk about his interests and hobbies.
He is involved with the University Program Council and Eagle Eye TV. A member of Auburn's French and Italian Clubs, Jack is also a host in the International Buddy Program. He enjoys learning about other cultures and discovering more about the world around him. He is an active member of the Auburn Wesley Foundation and the First Baptist Church of Opelika. His interests include sports, photography, tech, working out, politics, the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. A fan of a wide variety of music, Jack is currently obsessed with J. Cole, Ed Sheeran, Childish Gambino, and T-Swizzle. He thinks Spotify is "the greatest thing ever," and he plays curated workout playlists when he's at The Rec.
