Find a job/internship

The CCC is committed to helping you find job opportunities, research employers, and learn various job search techniques. The Internet can be a wonderful job search tool, but don’t let it replace other job search strategies such as networking and connecting with employers at CCC career treks, career fairs, and other events!

Job/internship search process overview

 

Steps to finding a job/internship

* Doing this early in your job search will allow you to quickly tweak your materials and apply faster when opportunities arise!

Rather than "Find a job," try "Find a job by July in the Greater Seattle Area in the nonprofit sector where I can be creative and learn more about K-12 education."
  • Review needs, such as timeline, finances, or family obligations
  • Review wants, such as type of work, location, company/role, or unique access
  • Review skills (What abilities would you like to bring or develop in your next role?)
  • If searching for a required internship, review any requirements from your department
  1. Let your network know (over social media and other methods) you’re looking for a job in a certain field and ask if they know anyone in that field
  2. Reach out to people working in your field of interest:
    • Alumni
    • Cold calls
    • Faculty, neighbors, community members
    • Current/former classmates, colleagues

*Start by reaching out to 5 people using the Networking step-by-step guide, including sample networking emails and sample questions to ask here

*Don’t skip this step! 80 percent of jobs are never posted online. They’re gotten through networking.

  1. Create a list of top companies to regularly search
    • Create alerts for the types of positions that interest you on Handshake, Indeed, LinkedIn, GlassDoor, other sites
      Green notification bar reading "Created Job Alert"
      Screenshot of the Handshake dashboard
    • Connect through social media and networking opportunities like company events
  2. Attend SPU Events with employers in your field:
    • Career Treks: A behind-the-scenes look at offices led by employers (in-person and virtual)
    • Career Fairs: On-campus events with dozens of employers from specific industries
    • Employer Meet Ups: Small, informal, on-campus chats with representatives
  • Tell any contacts you have at the organization you are applying; ask if they have any tips
  • Tailor application materials to the company and the open position
  • Express your skills in their context
  • Employment Services
    • Temporary, Contract-to-Hire & Direct Hire Staffing Services
    • Private, In-House, and Industry Recruiters
  • Propose Employment Options
    • Customized Internships
    • Role Adjustments
  • Micro-internships or Short-term Projects

Where to find jobs

Handshake

On Handshake, you can search for great jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities that are posted specifically for SPU students and alumni. Postings include work study and on-campus jobs, as well as entry-level positions and career opportunities.

Note: Listing a job, internship, or volunteer position posting on Handshake does not confer an endorsement by Seattle Pacific University. It is the student’s responsibility to evaluate opportunities, employers, and sponsoring organizations.

Job Boards

In our Handshake Resource Library, you will find a rich collection of different job boards, including:

SPU Office of Student Employment

A division of SPU’s Financial Aid Office, the Office of Student Employment (OSE) manages on-campus positions, work-study programs, and part-time jobs off-campus. Available positions are posted on Handshake. For questions about state or federal work study, SPU student payroll or student financial aid, contact ose@spu.edu.

The Seattle cityscape at night | photo by Lynn Anselmi

Fat paychecks, sweet perks, fun colleagues, and more than 70,000 jobs ready to be filled — these employers offer dream workplaces. Meet Fortune magazine’s top 100 places to work (many of them headquartered right in SPU’s backyard).

Tips for avoiding job scams

There are many job scams online, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between a scam and a legitimate job opening. Be cautious! Before you apply to a job online, review the tips here and take time to research the company to be sure it is legitimate.

An SPU student attends a networking event on campus

All about networking

Networking is a powerful way to learn about careers, employers, and opportunities. Statistics show that about 80% of all jobs are hired via networking.

Learn more about networking