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Consumer Sciences Career Services Center

Finding an Opening

First, keep an open mind about the particular job you are seeking.

Second, use the contacts you have.

Third, look for ways to expand your contacts. Attend meetings of professional and civic groups in the community where you want to locate. Do some "information interviewing".

You should allocate your time according to your desire for the job. In other words, if there is an opening you really desire, spend more time and effort on that than on others.

There are two approaches to finding an opening.

The first approach is to contact as many potential employers as you can hoping that the more contacts you make the greater your odds of finding a position. The World Wide Web has become a prime source of information for those using this approach. Some useful sites are:

• Automation Consultants, Inc.
• Los Angeles Times
• CareerBuilder.com
• Modis
• College Grad Job Hunter
• Monster.com
• Colorado Online Job Connection
• NationJob Network
• Employment Guide
• New York Times
• Hispanic Business
• SnellingSearch
• Hoover's
• Theatre Jobs
• JobFind
• TutorMatch
• Job Web
• U.S. Federal Government
• JobBank USA
• Woodmoor Group, Inc
• JobNet Australia
• Yahoo Classifieds
• JobXchange
• Yahoo Hot Jobs
• LGI

The second approach to job hunting is to target a small number of companies or organizations in particular areas where you might want to work, and then seek jobs only with them.

Other Information

Websites such as HotJobs (from Yahoo) also have information on living conditions and salary comparisons of various cities in the United States.

Yellow pages, local newspapers, and groups such as the Better Business Bureau can assist in identifying employers. Most major and many smaller businesses, government agencies, and organizations maintain Web sites which list career possibilities.

Make phone contact with listed individuals and if necessary follow the lead to the person who makes the hiring decision.

The importance of making contacts and networks can not be over stressed. The following information was compiled by The Complete Job Search Workbook concerning how individuals found and obtained jobs:

Percent of Jobs Found by Source Used

• 75% Networking
• 12.2% Employment agencies
• 11% Advertisements
• 10.5% Other sources

No matter how you approach your job search, almost everyone will agree that persistence is the key.

View the Dos and Don'ts of Job Searching

Reference Materials

Fashion and Trade Associations

• Advertising Council
• American Advertising Federation
• American Association for Textile Technology
• American Association of Advertising Agencies
• American Association of Exporters and Importers
• American Fur Industry
• American Society of Interior Designers
• American Society of Photographers In Communications
• Apparel Manufacturers' Association
• Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association
• Council of Fashion Designers of America
• Direct Marketing Association
• Graphic Artists Guild
• Institute of Store Planners
• Jewelry Industry Council
• National Retail Merchants Associations
• New York Fashion Designers
• Retail Advertising and Marketing Association
• RSVP Directory
• Textile Distributors Association
• The Fashion Association
• The Fashion Group International
• The Wool Bureau

Directories

• Directory of Corporate Affiliations
• Directory of Executive Recruiters
• Directory of Management Consultants
• Dun & Bradstreet Reference Books
• Encyclopedia of Associations
• Franchise Opportunities Handbook
• International Directory of Corporate Affiliations
• Manufacturers Directory (by State)
• Places Rated Almanac
• Reference Book of Corporate management
• Standard & Poors
• Standard Directory of Advertisers
• Ward's Business Directory

Newspapers

• Crain's
• National Business Employment Weekly
• The National Ad Search
• The New York Times
• The Wall Street Journal

Magazines

• Business Week
• Forbes
• Fortune

Industry Specific Reference Materials

• Apparel Trades Book
• Davison's Textile Bluebook
• Fairchild's Retail Stores Financial Directory
• Fairchild's Textile & Apparel Financial Directory
• O'Dwyer's Public Relations Directory
• Sheldon's Retail Guide
• Standard Directory of Advertising Agencies
• The Fashion Guide: International Designer Directory
• The Fashion Resource Directory
• The Saleman's Guide of Advertising Agencies
• Thomas' Register of American Manufacturers
• WWD Buyer's Guide: Women's Apparel & Accessories Guide
• WWD Suplier's Guide: Women's Apparel & Accessories Manufacturers
• WWD/DRN The Business Newsletter for Specialty Stores

Trade Periodicals

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