Congratulations, you're ready to launch your post-graduation job search! Jobs come in many forms and your search will be unique to you and your goals. The Career Center is here to support you at every step, with strategies, hiring timelines, and tips for evaluating an offer.

Find a Job

Develop a Search Plan

Develop a plan that includes your target career field, ideal geographic location(s), ideal start date, what type of organization you are seeking in terms of size and culture. In addition, we encourage you to set goals for yourself as well as dates for achieving those goals. If you would like help with this process, we encourage you to make an appointment to discuss your goals with a career coach.

Research Target Employers

Most job openings aren’t advertised broadly. They’re usually posted on the organization’s website. Identify promising employers by checking Handshake, working your contacts, checking sites like Vault and LinkedIn, and reading trade websites and magazines. Then go to those employers’ websites to browse job openings.

Log in to Handshake

Track Your Progress

Because you will likely be at different stages of the application process with various organizations at a given time, developing a process to keep track of all the details is key. Keep a spreadsheet that lists the organization, position title, links to the organization’s website and job description, date you submitted your application, date of follow up, date of interview(s), and other pertinent notes or details.

Sample Tracking Spreadsheet

Students also have free access to a job search platform called Huntr. The platform easily keeps track of positions in which you are interested and where you are in the application cycle. Click the button below to register and learn more.

Huntr

Handshake

From searching jobs and internships to making an appointment with a career coach, Handshake is your go-to tool for all things career at Boston College. 

Log in to Handshake

 

External Job Boards

While it is highly recommended that you use Handshake as your primary platform to search for a job, there are a variety of other online job boards that may also serve as helpful resources. Below are a few general job boards to start with. You can find industry-specific resources on our career cluster pages. 

WayUpwayup.comA platform for early career professionals to explore opportunities, receive advice, and get discovered by employers
LinkedInlinkedin.comExplore job listings on the world's largest professional network
Indeedindeed.comJob postings from across the U.S.
Simply Hiredsimplyhired.comAggregated job listings from thousands of websites and job boards
Monstermonster.comA full array of job seeking, career management, recruitment and talent management products and services
Glassdoorglassdoor.comJob postings with company reviews, salary reports, and more
College Recruitercollegerecruiter.comJob search for current college students and recent graduates
AfterCollege.comAfterCollege.comThe largest career network for college students and recent graduates
CollegeGrad.comCollegeGrad.comA job board designed for an entry-level job search
Idealistidealist.orgA job board for a nonprofit/government job search
Pro Fellowprofellow.comA job board for a professional and academic fellowship search
Jop Welljopwell.comA career advancement platform for Black, Latinx, and Native American students and professionals
LinkUplinkup.comAn index of global job listings
B-Workbwork.comB Work connects purpose driven jobseekers with meaningful work at companies that are using business as a force for good
GoinGlobalgoinglobal.comGoinGlobal helps new and experienced job seekers find opportunities both at home and abroad
BuiltInbuiltin.comBuilt In is the online community for startups and tech companies. Find startup jobs, tech news and events.

Understand Hiring Timelines

Every career field follows unique recruiting cycles and general hiring timelines. To succeed in your job search, you need to be aware of the recruiting cycles for your industry of choice. Below we provide information that can serve as a guideline for your own unique job search based on when BC graduates have been hired in the past. 


Hiring Timelines By Career Cluster

Hiring timelines are based on aggregate outcome data from the Classes of 2017–2020 and reference full-time job offers. 

Career ClusterBefore Senior YearFall Semester Senior YearSpring Semester Senior YearAfter Graduation
All Clusters21%22%36%21%
Business, Consulting, and Finance36%29%24%11%
Communication, Arts, and Media2%14%42%44%
Education, Nonprofit, and Social Service4%14%52%29%
Government, Law, and Public Policy3%4%56%37%
Healthcare and Nursing4%8%48%39%
Science, Technology, and Engineering6%29%47%19%

Protect Yourself from Scams

We know that you’re working hard to find that perfect internship or job. However, it is important to be aware that what appears to be the perfect job may not be so perfect. Not every job posting is legitimate; scammers may post fraudulent jobs to get your personal information for identity theft or to get money from you. These fraudulent jobs can be difficult to spot, but it is important for you to be aware of some tips on what red flags to look for and how to protect yourself if you think you may have applied to a fraudulent job.

The Boston College Career Center makes every effort to verify the legitimacy of employers and job postings listed on Handshake. However, the ultimate responsibility for researching a potential employer and its opportunities lies with the applicant. Keep these tips in mind for any job opportunity you receive by email, find on a job board, or find on Handshake. If you feel uncomfortable about any job opportunity, do not click on any links and do not provide any personal information. Contact us with any questions you have about the legitimacy of an employer or an opportunity.

Resources to help you find & apply

Campus Fairs & Networking Events

The Career Center hosts smaller industry-specific fairs and networking events to connect Boston College students with alumni and employers. Fairs and networking events are an opportunity to discover different industries and organizations and make connections in person. All events can be found in Handshake.

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Campus Recruitment Program

Our campus recruitment program brings hundreds of recruiters to Boston College each year to meet with and interview students for full-time jobs and internships. Organizations come from across the nation—representing a variety of industries and seeking students of all majors and disciplines. Opportunities are available through Handshake.

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Cover Letter Resources

A well-written cover letter is your opportunity to demonstrate to an employer your fit and enthusiasm for the role. The Career Center has assembled sample cover letters to help you get started.  

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Eagle Intern Fellowship

The Eagle Intern Fellowship provides financial support of up to $4,800 to Boston College undergraduates who are on financial aid who obtain internships with organizations that are not able to provide a salary. By eliminating financial barriers, this program provides an opportunity for you to explore your career interests and experience the world of work.

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Forage

A formal internship isn't the only way to gain professional experience. Projects are a great option to boost your résumé/portfolio, build skills, and grow your professional network. The Forage platform offers hypothetical projects from top employers that you can complete to learn more about working in a specific field.

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Handshake

All of the top employers are hiring on Handshake, including the Fortune 500, nonprofits, and startups. In addition to employer profiles, you can also use your Handshake account to schedule appointments with our career coaches and find upcoming career fairs and networking events. View our Handshake Guide to get started. 

Handshake is our centralized platform where top employers post positions for Boston College students. You have access to 400,000+ employer profiles, which include information about their organization, peer reviews, interview tips, and open positions.

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Interstride

Interstride empowers International students to thrive. They simplify career opportunities, provide Visa and immigration support, and allow for networking and mentorship opportunities right on the platform.

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MyVisaJobs

MyVisaJobs can help you identify companies who have sponsored H1B visas and green cards in the past. It also outlines the top industries that offer sponsorship.

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Résumé Resources

A résumé is a tailored document highlighting your skills, education, goals, and experience. It is a summary of qualifications for a job, internship, scholarship, or other opportunity. Employers will often spend far less than 30 seconds looking at each résumé, so yours needs to stand out. The resources below will help guide you through the process.

A résumé is a tailored document highlighting your skills, education, goals, and experience. It is a summary of your qualifications for a job, internship, scholarship, or other opportunity. The Career Center has assembled sample résumés and a word template to assist you with crafting your own.

Resume
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Summer Experiences Database

Use the database to find students who completed internships that you may be interested in and reach out to them to discuss their summer experience. 

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From the Career Center Blog
How Important Is a Summer Internship?  Link to article
For many students, securing a summer internship is a significant career milestone. Internships provide an opportunity to gain meaningful experience
November 20, 2024
BCCareerCenterTeam
How to Fit All Your Experiences on Just One Page  Link to article
When it comes to building your resume, less is often more. Especially for undergraduates or recent grads who may not
September 11, 2024
BCCareerCenterTeam
How to Make the Most of Your Coaching Appointment  Link to article
We know your time is valuable and limited. Here are some tips to prepare for your next career coaching appointment
September 09, 2024
BCCareerCenterTeam

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