Transition, part 4: Explore Job Databases

The Basics

Finally, you can start searching for available jobs on job ad sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Handshake. This step comes last because it requires you to apply the knowledge gained from drafting your résumés and cover letters when responding to job postings.

Explore job databases, take good notes, bookmark or save the relevant job postings you find.
Write up a report and submit on Blackboard.
Please read all instructions carefully.
Reach out for help if you have questions!

The Details

Explore job databases such as LinkedIn, Indeed, or Handshake.
Conduct a preliminary search for job listings related to your chosen careers or fields of interest.
Learn which search terms, key words, or key phrases get you to the job ads that are most interesting to you.
Bookmark or save relevant job postings for future reference.
Once you’re finished, summarize the results of your preliminary job database searches in in a relatively informal report, minimum 600 words. Format your document in MLA Style. Include the following details:
1. Helpful Resources: Explain which job database or resource was most helpful in your search, and why. Highlight specific features or tools that aided your research.
2. Least Helpful Resource: Discuss the job database or resource that was least helpful and explain why it didn't meet your expectations. Were there limitations or difficulties you encountered?
3. Search Terms: Share the specific search terms or keywords you used during your job searches. Discuss whether these terms yielded relevant results.
4. Comparison to Occupational Outlook Handbook: Compare the information you found in the job databases to what you learned from the "Occupational Outlook Handbook." Were there any disparities or discrepancies in the job outlook, salary information, or other details?
5. Other Relevant Information: Include any additional insights or challenges you encountered during your exploration of job databases. Did you come across any interesting job listings or trends?

Associated Assignments

The Rubric

15% Effective Exploration of Job Databases

Insufficient: The student's report indicates cursory exploration of job databases, with minimal evidence of effort and engagement. The report reflects a basic search without effective use of resources, resulting in a superficial understanding of available opportunities.
Adequate: The student's report demonstrates exploration of job databases, but the approach appears somewhat passive. The report reflects basic searches related to their chosen careers but may not fully capitalize on opportunities for a more comprehensive search.
Strong: The student's report provides clear evidence of effective exploration of job databases. It showcases a proactive approach with a thorough search, utilizing relevant keywords and filters to refine results. The report actively reviews and assesses multiple job listings, demonstrating the student's ability to take notes and bookmark relevant opportunities.
Outstanding: The student's report exemplifies exceptional exploration of job databases. It presents exhaustive evidence of advanced search techniques, identifying a broad range of relevant job listings. The report meticulously captures the student's deep understanding of how to leverage job databases to their maximum potential, resulting in a comprehensive assessment of available opportunities.

15% Effective Use of Relevant Search Terms and Keywords:

Insufficient: The student uses generic or ineffective search terms and keywords, resulting in limited or irrelevant job listings.
Adequate: The student uses somewhat relevant search terms and keywords but misses opportunities to refine their search effectively.
Strong: The student employs relevant search terms and keywords, leading to a substantial number of relevant job listings.
Outstanding: The student masterfully selects highly relevant search terms and keywords, yielding a comprehensive and tailored list of job listings.

25% Assessment of Helpful and Least Helpful Resources:

Insufficient: The student fails to assess the helpfulness of job databases adequately, offering minimal insight into their experiences.
Adequate: The student provides some assessment of helpful and least helpful resources, but lacks depth or specificity.
Strong: The student effectively assesses the helpfulness of job databases, highlighting specific features or tools that aided their research and discussing limitations or difficulties encountered.
Outstanding: The student delivers an exceptional assessment, offering profound insights into the helpfulness of job databases, showcasing a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

25% Comparison to Occupational Outlook Handbook:

Insufficient: The student does not effectively compare information from job databases to what they learned from the "Occupational Outlook Handbook."
Adequate: The student attempts to make comparisons but lacks depth or fails to identify disparities or discrepancies.
Strong: The student makes meaningful comparisons, highlighting disparities or discrepancies in job outlook, salary information, or other details.
Outstanding: The student provides a thorough and insightful comparison, demonstrating a deep understanding of the content and identifying nuanced differences.

20% Inclusion of Additional Insights and Challenges:

Insufficient: The student fails to include meaningful additional insights or challenges encountered during their exploration of job databases.
Adequate: The student mentions some insights or challenges without much depth or detail.
Strong: The student provides valuable insights and discusses significant challenges encountered during their exploration of job databases.
Outstanding: The student offers profound insights and discusses significant challenges, showcasing a thorough exploration of job databases.