Career Counseling Service

The Art of Job Hunting

The first step in starting your job search is to clearly define what you really want to do, including the type of company, location, job duties, and salary expectations, among other factors.

We need to be clear about our short- and medium-term goals.

First, we ask ourselves questions like: What do I want to do? and What is my life plan?

Second, we need to be aware of our professional profile—our strengths, weaknesses, values, and specific skills—so we don’t fall short when it comes to interviews. Here, we’ll identify our internal resources: what my educational background is and what my skills are. 

And third, we’ll have to ask ourselves whether the job market offers what I’m looking for. 

Only now are we in a position to start actively looking for job opportunities and begin sending out our résumés.

To do this, you need to be familiar with the different submission methods:

  1. Make a list of potential companies that, for whatever reason, you find appealing as places to work—whether because of their corporate culture or because their values and interests align with yours. Find out the name of the HR director or manager so you can send them your resume along with a cover letter.

  2. Sign up for job search platforms (such as Buscojobs, CompuTrabajo, andGallito Digital), where you can create an account to receive job opportunities. It’s a good idea to upload your resume, as this usually provides recruiters with more information.

  3. Compile a list of the country’s leading consulting firms (such as PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, Ernst & Young, Manpower, and Advice, among others), and be sure to create an account with each one and upload your resume. It’s important to take a proactive approach when searching for the job postings that both consulting firms and job platforms publish daily.

  4. Networking is very important at this stage. There’s no need to request an interview if the employer is a busy person. Simply send your resume to their email address, along with a cover letter. You can also send it to the Human Resources department, if there is one. You never know when a vacancy might open up.

  5. Make sure your LinkedInprofile is complete and always up to date. The information should be clear and honest, convey your education, experience, and career goals, and be appealing to readers. The university offers you the opportunity to access the Career Counseling Service or consult with your faculty’s Graduate Affairs Office for guidance on how to write it.