Starting your Job Search with Intention
The tools on this page are designed for graduate students who have already explored their options and are ready to begin a focused job search. If you’re still figuring out your direction visit the page below.
Starting the Job Search
Step 1: Find out where your jobs are posted
Ask faculty or professionals about the networks and associations they use, many offer job boards with smaller applicant pools, helping you focus your search.
For academic roles (lecturer, visiting professor, postdoc, tenure-track), consult your faculty about where jobs are typically posted in your discipline.
Use broad sites like Indeed and LinkedIn as supplements, not starting points.
Step 2: Tailor your Materials
Use the terminology and jargon from the job posting in your resume. Make it clear in the cover letter what position you are applying for and why you are interested in the position.
Check out the resume, CV, and Linked In page for Templates!
Step 3: Keep Track of Every Job You Apply For
Use the Job Search Template below to organize your applications. Tracking this information helps you stay consistent and prepared as you move through the hiring process.
Stay Informed and Connected
Talk to people in the roles you want. Informational interviews are a great way to learn about career paths and should be part of your job search process whether you're actively applying or just exploring.
Do your research. Use sites like Glassdoor to understand job expectations, salary ranges, and company culture. If you're relocating, consider the cost of living in that area and whether it aligns with your salary needs.
Visit in person, if possible. Visiting the campus or city can help you decide if it’s a place you’d enjoy living and working.
Understand institutional differences. If you're pursuing an academic career, learn the differences between institutions (e.g., teaching load at a small liberal arts college vs. a large R1 research university) and what those mean for your professional goals and lifestyle.
Leverage your network. Many job opportunities come through connections. Once you're on the job market, your network becomes an extension of your search helping you discover hidden opportunities and get referrals that can make a difference.
Job Boards
HireJayhawks
HireJayhawks is the one stop shop for students searching and applying for internships, job openings, and more. Visit the HireJayhawks site to update your account profile, search for jobs, register for upcoming career fairs and upload your job documents.
Imagine PHD
If you have an account with ImaginePhD.com, please note that in the "Apply" section of each job family there is a real-time Indeed ticker of job openings related to that job family. Use this to find openings and also learn about organizations and job titles that you can use to search for jobs using HireJayhawks.com or doing your own search on Indeed or LinkedIn.
KU Job & Internship Search Resources
The University Career Center maintains a list of resources if you are searching for jobs and internships in the following sectors: government & non-profit, Peace Corps, work/study abroad, internships, virtual job and internships resources and part-time jobs.
Chronicle of Higher Education Jobs
The Chronicle of Higher Education hosts one of the most comprehensive job boards for academic positions, including faculty roles, postdocs, administrative positions, and more. Use jobs.chronicle.com to search by discipline, institution type, or location. KU students have free access through the university’s subscription.
Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Jobs
H-Net is a leading job board for humanities and social science fields, with postings for academic, museum, and public history positions worldwide. Visit networks.h-net.org/jobs/browse to browse openings by field, rank, or region. Especially useful for graduate students seeking teaching and research roles.
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
ORAU (Oak Ridge Associated Universities) offers opportunities in research, science policy, STEM internships, fellowships, and federal contracts. Explore current openings across research, education, and collaborative projects with national labs and government agencies, ideal for graduate students and early-career professionals.
Job Search Resources
The Muse's Cover Letter Collection
Crafting a great cover letter can set your application apart and help you get your foot in the door. But where to start? This collection from The Muse as tips, templates, and examples to get you going—from great opening lines to real samples that actually worked.
The Academic Job Search Workshop Series from CTE
The KU Center for Teaching Excellence has a workshop series dedicated to academic job search prep. Learn more here or reach out to Kaila Colyott at the CTE for more information.
Academic Job Doc Writing Support from the Writing Center
Reach out to the Assistant Director for Graduate Writing and Support for a coaching appointment to receive feedback on your cover letter, or academic job materials.
KU Mentoring+
The KU Alumni Association's Mentoring+ platform includes resources for career searching and preparation in addition to a job board. Explore the current openings by signing in to the Mentoring+ platform using your KU credentials. Set up a profile in order to connect with KU alumni for informational interviews and tips to help you get that first job after graduation!
8 Simple Ways To Organize Your Job Search
A well-organized job search can maximize your chances of success by keeping track of all available opportunities. Regardless of the kind of job you're seeking, knowing how to organize your job search can help make the application process go more smoothly.
The Importance of Networking
In this article, written by the Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership (CWEEL) Career Development Chair, Kiersten Washle, and CWEEL Co-Chair, Deborah Lenny, provide answers to these key questions and provide “tips and tricks” on networking, whether in-person or virtually