Reaching out to employers
If you’ve secured an internship or full-time job and haven’t heard from your employer recently:
Get in touch with the hiring contact to check on the status of your position. Here are some tips for reaching out to the employer:
- Express gratitude/excitement
- “Thank you again for the opportunity to work for your organization. I am very excited to start this position!”
- Acknowledge this situation
- “I know this is an uncertain time for everyone, including your organization.”
- Be clear
- “I wanted to reach out to see if you could provide an update on how COVID-19 is impacting (insert name of organization/company) and if there is any information I should be aware of for my upcoming start date on (insert start date) for my (insert position title) position.”
- Express gratitude
- “Thank you again you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.”
If an employer is considering keeping you on as a remote employee, but is unsure about having you work remotely, ask them to reach out to CHS Career Services to help answer questions and concerns.
If you’ve submitted applications and haven’t heard back:
Research the organizations where you applied.
- See whether they have released any news updates indicating a hiring freeze. This information could be located on their careers page or in a news article if you do a Google News search. Some employers are also listing COVID-19 news updates on their main webpage.
Follow-up with the employer to touch base on your application and ask when you might hear back on their decision.
- Reach out to a specific contact when possible. Call or email the general HR phone number or email address if you do not have information for a specific contact.
Continuing your job or internship search
- Meet with our staff: Phone and Webex appointments are available as well as assistance via email. Please contact our office at hscareers@iastate.edu for more information or schedule a virtual appointment via CyHire.
- Utilize CyHire: New jobs and internships for Iowa State students are posted daily.
- Explore other job search websites: Do not rely on a single source for job postings.
- If you are searching for remote work, almost all job boards include a ‘remote’ search feature in the advanced filters area. You can also list the word ‘remote’ in the location search box to locate these types of opportunities.
- Continue to build your network
- Consider creating or revisiting your LinkedIn profile.
- Consider conducting informational interviews with professionals in your field of interest – this can be done virtually!
- Look for ways to continue to develop your skills and gain experience. Consider engaging in volunteer opportunities, joining a professional association, or completing a free course.
- Consider broadening your search. How might your skills and experiences align with other opportunities?
- Be aware that employment scams may become more common during times of uncertainty. If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it may be. You can always contact CHS Career Services if you have a question about the legitimacy of an opportunity.
Virtual and phone interviews
Big Interview – Complete interviewing tutorials and practice your virtual interviewing skills.
- All CHS students are able to use this service for free by registering with their Iowa State email address.
Review our tips on virtual interviews.
Accepting offers
- Consider your start date and inquire whether you will be starting work in-person or remotely.
- It is acceptable to respectfully ask if there is flexibility in the salary/job offer.
- View more information on evaluating job offers.
Information adapted from Iowa State College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Career Services
Information on social distancing and self-isolation
This information may be particularly pertinent to students completing in-person internships or jobs.
Additional virtual resources
Candid Career: Explore careers and topics related to job searching in these short videos.
GoinGlobal: Provides country-specific career and employment information, including world-wide internship and job postings, H1B employer listings, corporate profiles, and career resources for 30 countries.
Webinars:
Finding a Job (Virtually) – courtesy of The Washington Center
Various topics related to COVID-19 – courtesy of College Recruiter