Searching
for a co-op can be one of your most rewarding
experiences during your time here at BGSU.
Listed below are different strategies and
tools for you to use in your co-op search.
Please keep in mind that you can contact
our office at any time should you need additional
help.
SEARCH
TIPS
Start
Searching EARLY, Plan at least 2 semesters
ahead.
Sending
a resume is the FIRST step. You should follow-up
with a phone call asking the employer if
they have received your resume, asking them
if they have any questions. This can help
to develop a conversation that could lead
to an interview invitation.
Follow-up
with companies ASAP. The longer you wait
to answer the call of an employer, the greater
you increase the chances of your NOT securing
a co-op with that company.
Keep
Co-op Office informed of your search status
so we can assist you if you should need it.
Keep
your options open.
Try
not to get trapped in a lengthy lease at
an apartment that will limit your ability
to travel to your favorite co-op locations.
Stay
in touch with employers who did not have
a position for you during a previous semester.
This can lead to future co-ops or even full-time
positions after graduation.
USE MULTIPLE
METHODS OF SEARCHING: Do not depend on ONE
method to search for a co-op, use many different
methods. You can use any of the methods listed
below as well as other methods you develop
on your own:
Networking
Talking with friends, family, business persons, instructors, advisors
or anyone in your field.
“Wall
of Fame”
Collection of business cards posted in the hallways of the Co-op office
on-campus. Please be aware that when visiting the Wall of Fame, some
of the information may be outdated, however, you should be able to
find current information on the internet, or consult our office should
you need assistance.
Help
Wanted ads
Keep watch of postings in newspapers located where you are searching
for a co-op.
Internet
Some examples (please work hard to discover your own, use these as
a starting point):
“Cold-call” Companies “Cold-calling” a
company is when you call a company without
having a contact person’s name to use during the time of the call. Use the following approach as a guide
when calling in this manner. (Please use
this as a GUIDE. You should personalize this
to fit your own style.)
1. May I speak with whomever is responsible for hiring new employees?
2.
Are you hiring
for [Insert season
Spring, Summer
or Fall here] positions?
> Save details about co-op and your status as a BGSU student until later
in the conversation to avoid overwhelming the employer with too much information
at one time.
3. Ask for more details such as…Which
positions? How do I apply? What are the job duties?
> Here you are building a rapport with the employer, letting them get
to know you and showing that you are interested in the company.
4. At this point in the conversation
you will have learned if a position exists and if it could be used
to fulfill your co-op requirement.
> It is at this time that you begin to speak with this employer about
your status as a student majoring in ___________ at BGSU and that you would like
to use this work experience to fulfill your BGSU Co-op requirement for graduation.
Co-op
Office follow-up
We can send companies letters, emails or call them on your behalf.
Please contact
us today!
These
are all successful methods for locating a Co-op
position and are very powerful when time and
effort are applied. Keep yourself motivated
and keep in mind that our office is always
here to help so please contact us should you
have any questions or need more ideas.
ORGANIZE
YOUR SEARCH Below
is an table that could be used to keep
track of who you have contacted during
your co-op search. Use this to organize
company information resulting in a more
productive co-op search.
CLICK
THIS LINK for an Excel table already formatted and ready for your use!
