Find a Job or Internship!

The Career Services Center assists current Lakeland students and alumni in job searches and career-related experiential learning (including internships), both on and off campus. All our services are free for Lakeland students and alumni.

Your new online job search tool. Let us help make finding a full or part-time job, linking with local employers, and connecting to career services simple!

Your benefits:

• Receive alerts and search for job postings in and around Lake County, Ohio.
• Schedule an appointment with a career coach.
• Create a profile so employers can find you for their job openings!
• Store copies of your resume and other career documents securely - all in one place.
• Learn more about local companies that are hiring in Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula counties.

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Events & Workshops

We host a variety of career fairs, employment information events and workshops throughout the fall and spring semesters to help job seekers. Create an account at the Lakeland Career Services Portal for additional details for all upcoming events.

Make Money Mondays brings employers who are hiring right now on campus! Stop by one of these events to learn more about available opportunities.

Career Services is hosting a general job fair on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Athletics & Fitness Center. Whether you're a student looking for an internship, area resident looking for a fresh start, or something in between, this is a don't miss event! Login to the Career Services Portal and click "Events" for information on participating employers, employer registration, and other details.

Questions? Contact Lakeland Career Services.

Students & Recent Graduates

Career services is here to help you make career decisions. Let us help you take the next steps! Meet with your own personal job coach to:

• Write a resume, cover letter, job search letters and additional correspondence
• Prepare and practice for interviews
• Locate full-time and part-time jobs
• Find internship opportunities
• Attend events and workshops
• Connect with employers for an informational interview  or job shadowing
• Research occupations: O*NET Online, Occupational Outlook Handbook​

We offer a variety of appointment styles: both in-person and virtual.

1. Log in to the Career Services Portal to schedule an appointment.
2. Click "Current Students: Single Sign On" and use your myLakeland username and password.
3. Click the "Appointments" icon on the left to schedule an appointment with a career coach.

Career support is available to all Lakeland alumni as well as the Lake County community!

• Click here to register for a free account to search full- or part-time jobs in the community!.
• Attend public events such as workshops and career fairs.
• Make an appointment with a career coach for personal assistance by calling us at 440.525.7222.

Please contact us at 440.525.7222 or careerservices@lakelandcc.edu.

Faculty and Staff

Please send students to Lakeland Career Services if they need assistance to:

• Validate their career choice
• Gather career information and plan a career path
• Identify which types of jobs they are qualified for with their major
• Build self-awareness and develop professional skills
• Find an internship or job
• Develop a resume and interview confidence, build their network and salary negotiation

Let a staff member share information on topics related to job searches and professionalism with your students. We have standard presentations or, given enough time, we can customize a presentation to fit your class needs.

• Career Services Overview: What can career services do for me?
• Soft Skills for the Workplace
• Professional Communication (email etiquette)
• How to Use LinkedIn in Your Job Search
• Interviewing Skills
• Job Search Strategies: How to Find the Job You Want
• Resume Writing
• Social Media and the Job Search

We would be happy to meet with you or your department staff to discuss other ways we can partner with you! Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis with a minimum of two weeks' notice. Contact us at 440.525.7222 or careerservices@lakelandcc.edu to check availability!

If you know of industry professionals who may be interested in posting an internship or job opportunity, you may refer them to Rhonda Butler, director of career services, at 440.525.7432 or rbutler15@lakelandcc.edu. 

Employers

Find the talent you need by using our online job board. This is a fast, free and easy way to post your jobs and internships for current Lakeland students, graduates and community members. Job seekers that are a good match for your positions automatically receive notifications when you post. You can redirect applicants to your organization's website or have them apply through the Lakeladn Career Services Center.

Join the many recruiters who have found ideal candidates. Visit the Lakeland Career Services Portal to get started.

We are currently planning recruiting and information sessions, job fairs, networking events, and job shadowing programs for the 2022/23 academic year. Contact Rhonda Butler, director of career services, at 440.525.7432 or rbutler15@lakelandcc.edu for more information.

We cannot post or advertise positions related to the use or distribution of recreational or medical marijuana. As the use of marijuana is illegal at the federal level and Lakeland Community College receives federal funds, we must comply with federal law. The college's federal funding would be at significant risk were the career services center to allow such employers to register and post jobs/internships on our jobs database.

Career support is available to all Lakeland alumni as well as the Lake County community!

• Click here to register for a free account to search full- or part-time jobs in the community!.
• Attend public events such as workshops and career fairs.
• Make an appointment with a career coach for personal assistance by calling us at 440.525.7222.

On average, you can expect to have 3-5 career changes and up to 6 job changes within a career. So for better or worse, you need to learn how to look for a job!

Each time you change jobs, for whatever reason, you need to start at the beginning of the process and work through it again. The specifics of your job search will change each time but the process remains the same. Since these changes will happen despite careful planning, learning what the job search process entails now will arm you with a valuable lifelong skill.

Generally, job search success is directly proportional to the amount of time you are willing to spend in your search and the number of strategies you use to identify potential openings. Sources suggest that you:

1. Be prepared for a long job hunt - 6-24 weeks. Be realistic – the right job may take time to find.
2. It may take up to 10 job interviews before you are offered the job you want.
3. Employed now? Spend at least 20 hours per week on your job hunt. If you're not working, spend 40 hours a week. You are working for yourself now.
4. Carefully plan your time and your job search methods. In other words, act like you work for yourself and you want to give your employer's a good day's work!

Your perseverance will eventually pay off. Keep in touch with your support system of family and friends to help you when you are feeling discouraged.

There is no magic way to find a job. It is hard work, takes time, and at times may be boring and frustrating. It will take all your skills in planning and follow through but when done faithfully also pays the ultimate reward: A satisfying job for you! Some rejection will be a normal part of job-hunting. Rather than letting rejections discourage you, let each one teach you a new way to improve your skills for your next opportunity.

Your job search is your responsibility. You are the one who has to get out there and make things happen - no one can do it for you. The Career Services staff is available to assist you with each of the job search steps. Job search workshops (listed on the right) are offered several times each semester on Creative Ways to Find a Job, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, and Interviewing.

A list of job search steps follows. The order may vary depending on your specific needs and goals

The first step in your job search involves self assessment. Before you start looking for a specific job you need answers to such questions as: What are my work-related skills, interests and values? What have I learned from my academic, paid and volunteer experiences? What kind of position am I seeking? What are my career goals? What kind of lifestyle do I envision for myself?

The successful job search requires a definite plan of action. How will you develop a list of potential employers? How will you contact them? How can you build your network to include them? What are your communication strengths and how can you best use them? Conducting a job search without a plan will cost you in both time and money.

• Networking - Let people know you are looking! Talk to family, faculty, and friends. Everyone is a potential contact.
• Cold Calls - This is the old "knocking on doors" technique where you call companies or go in person to personnel offices to inquire about possible openings. Using this technique, however, requires careful preparation as you will leave an impression with every person you meet in the process. You need to be prepared to interview on the spot. Dress nicely and bring several clean copies of your resume with you.
• Journals and Newsletters - These are job announcements found in professional journals and newsletters which are more career specific than those found in daily newspapers. For example, mechanical engineers have the ASME, and its monthly publication, Mechanical Engineering, to browse and research.
• Mass Mailing - Sending out a large number of cover letters and resumes is a common but passive strategy. It is important that you know the odds - for every 80 letters you mail out you can expect 2 - 4 positive replies. You need to consider how much time and money you want to spend for this kind of return.
• Want Ads - Like mass mailing, want ads don't always yield a high positive return, although some fields use them more regularly than others. A better use of newspapers is often for the information you can gain about an area, a company, or people who work at a particular company through its news.
• On-Campus Recruiting - If there is a company coming to campus with a position that interests you - pursue it! Watch our Announcements for the next company coming to campus.
• Career Fairs – Lakeland Career Services has a variety of career and job fairs during the year. Come and meet employers to network and position yourself for a later application. Most representatives will take your resume.
• Experiential Learning - These include opportunities such as cooperative education, internships, volunteer work and even student employment in your field of interest. More and more employers are looking for people who already have experience or related experience in their field and some have begun to hire only from their intern pool.

These are the two most basic marketing tools for your job search. Developing an effective resume and good targeted cover letter is essential. The Career Services staff can assist you with their development.

• Hoover's Online Offers limited free access to Hoover 's company profiles. More information available for a fee.
• Annual Report Service Links to online annual reports. Some are in PDF format and may be requested in hard copy.
• The Riley Guide Links to lots of sites to help you research.

Getting the interview is the goal of your tools - the resume and cover letter - and the outcome of a successful plan of action. It is easy, however, to be so intent on getting interviews that you neglect to prepare for them. Have you researched the organization? Are you prepared to communicate what you can contribute? Have you studied the kinds of questions often asked?

"You've got the job!" are the four words job hunters most want to hear. But what then? Are you prepared to evaluate the offer to see if it matches your interests and, more importantly, your work values? Could you turn down a job offer you felt was wrong for you? How will you make your decision? Have you determined what your basic monthly expenses are so you can see if the offered salary will cover them and allow you to begin at least a modest savings plan?

Employment of college-paid student employees will conform to the federal guidelines for the Federal Work-Study Program. All rules and regulations apply equally to student workers and federal work-study students.

Post your position(s) with Career Services on our online job board: careers.lakelandcc.edu. Go to Career Connect on the right hand side of the home page. Click on Post a Job. Register under the employer: Lakeland Student Employment. We will also advertise your position(s) on our On-Campus Jobs flyer which we update weekly and post throughout campus.

Check with the Career Services office for current Student and Co-op hourly wages.

The Federal Work-Study fund covers 75 percent of the work-study student worker's salary. The cost to the department is 25 percent.

During the academic year (fall and spring semesters) students may work a maximum of 25 hours per week (regardless of the number of cost centers they are working under). During academic recess or summer sessions, students may work up to 40 hours if they are not attending classes.

Obtain the employment packet (Personnel Action Report (PAR), personal data sheet, tax, direct deposit, retirement, employment verification (I-9), authorization and waiver to conduct background check, and declaration regarding material assistance/nonassistance to a terrorist organization forms) from Career Services (A-1039 or call x7222).

Verify student's eligibility before you offer the position to the student by requesting a current unofficial transcript and class schedule or check the BANNER system to verify. Minimum requirements:

• Have a minimum current GPA of 2.0 to begin working and maintain a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 to continue working. New students will not have the GPA requirement.
• Be currently enrolled (registered and paid) for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester.
• Be in academic "Good Standing" as stated on their transcript.

Under extenuating circumstances, the student's supervisor's Administrator/Dean may submit a written request to the Director of Career Services for a temporary exception to policy. Contact Career Services for details.

Student workers can work in the summer and not be enrolled in summer classes if they meet the following:

• had been enrolled* in 6 credit hours or more Spring Semester, and are REGISTERED for Fall Semester, and have a cumulative gpa of 2.0.**
• or , they have to meet the standard eligibility requirements of enrolled* in a total of 6 credit hours or more during the Summer Sessions and have a cumulative gpa of 2.0**.

*enrolled = registered and paid (This can include students who have graduated.)
**New students do not have a GPA requirement.

We are requesting that you verify student's academic status (credit hours and GPA) EACH semester to avoid losing your student worker because they do not meet eligibility requirements.

Verify if student employee is work-study eligible by requesting a copy of the student's financial aid award letter, check the BANNER system or call Financial Aid x 7070 to determine the award amount.

Personnel Action Report (PAR)- supervisor/initiator completes Items 1 through 12, 14, 16, and 17.
Item 1: Effective Date - at least 5 working days from initiator's completion of paperwork.
(Student cannot begin to work until the PAR has been processed by Career Services and originator's copy of PAR has been return to him/her.)

Signatures - supervisor/initiator obtains all required signatures on the PAR.

• Supervisor (initiator)
• Administrator/Dean and/or Vice President

All signatures are required with the exception of Academic Affairs, where the signature of the initiator and the dean will suffice.

Employment Forms - supervisor/initiator ensures completion of all forms (tax, personal data, retirement, I-9, etc.).

**Note : Supervisor/initiator must also complete Section 2 and the Certification area of the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) Form. Photocopies of the necessary student identification documents (usually driver's license and social security card) must be attached to I-9.

If student was previously employed on campus, employment forms will be on file. Supervisor would need to complete just the Personnel Action Report (PAR) with the new assignment.

Initiator of PAR Box - supervisor/initiator fills in work-study award year, work-study award amount, current GPA, and current credit hours in the Initiator of PAR box at bottom left of PAR form.

Forward the completed employment packet to Career Services.
Incomplete packets will be returned to initiator.

Instruct all student workers to go to the Police Department on or before their first day of work with their completed Authorization and Waiver to Conduct Background Investigation form and Driver's License to begin the fingerprint/background check process.

Direct all questions relating to Payroll issues to Payroll at x 7061.

Note: All student employees are terminated on June 30 of each year. Eligible students must then be rehired with a new PAR effective July 1 of each fiscal year.

Do not hesitate to call Career Services for additional information or clarification at ext. 7222.

Employers may contact you to request the names of students who would be excellent candidates for job opportunities. At first glance, it seems harmless to provide the names of your best students. However, there are some potential legal and ethical pitfalls. If you or a colleague receive a job lead from an employer and choose only to refer a few individuals without publicizing the position to all students who may be qualified, you are not maintaining "a fair and equitable recruiting process."

Also, by identifying individuals for employment on a "regular" basis, you may be considered an "employment agency" for purposes of compliance with equal employment opportunity laws. For example, if it appears as if you are (innocently or otherwise) referring only male students or only minority students, you may be open to charges of discrimination. Employers who act in accordance with the Principles understand and expect students to receive open and equal access to information about job opportunities.

If you receive a request for student referrals, you can, of course, notify individual students who have declared an interest in such positions and encourage them to apply. However, also post the position in your department and announce it to your classes. At the same time, contact the university career center so that the position can be listed campuswide. There are practical reasons for these actions. The career services office may have an existing relationship with the requesting employer through co-op, part-time/summer job, internship, job fair or other recruiting programs. Or, the career center practitioners may wish to develop a broader relationship with the employer. Sometimes unproductive misunderstandings occur when an employer works with more than one campus office.

Most employers have diversity objectives in their college relations programs. Accordingly, they will make a special effort to identify and attract minority candidates. You will probably be asked for help in accomplishing this task.

The NACE Principles documents endorses compliance with EEO guidelines and adherence to affirmative action principles by both college and staffing professionals. It is illegal to discriminate against protected groups. It is considered appropriate for career center practitioners to inform members of protected groups about employment opportunities, especially in areas where minorities are underrepresented. Similarly, employers are encouraged to inform minority populations of special activities, e.g., information sessions or career fairs that have been developed to help achieve an employer's affirmative action goals. You can participate in all of these activities.

While it is lawful and ethical for you to assist employers in reaching out to minority groups, it is inappropriate for you to identify only minority individuals who might fit the needs of an organization. You have an obligation to provide a "fair" system, i.e., one where all students have access to information about career opportunities.

If you receive a request for minority candidate referrals, you can make announcements in class, post signs in your department, notify minority students' organizations (e.g., societies of black, female or Hispanic engineers), pass the request on to the career center, and encourage the employer to contact the career center directly. You can also refer the employer to your college's minority student advisory office (if one exists). That office may be authorized to provide a full list of the members of a requested population.

When you are asked by an employer for a student's reference, confidentiality becomes a major concern. Simply, information about a student should not be shared unless the student has furnished you with prior authorization. Once permission has been obtained, you should provide information that is based on facts, not conjecture, and not on personal information unrelated to the student's qualifications for the job in question.

When you are asked to provide a written or oral reference for a student, obtain written permission from the student. All reference information should be based on firsthand knowledge and, if possible, written documentation. When providing information, you should avoid personal matters (e.g., marital status, health, disabilities, race, religion, etc.) that by law should not be included in employment decisions, even if you believe that such information might enhance the student's candidacy.

The goal of student employment is most likely reached when all parties involved work cooperatively, ethically and within the law. There may be instances when you are unsure of how to help your students and stay within the law. On those occasions, call the career services center for more information.

You and your colleagues on the faculty are encouraged to offer comments to your career services center practitioners regarding these guidelines and the issues this guide addresses. Please feel free to note issues that may not be covered.

There will be a wide range of opportunities at this event. This a great way to meet many employers in one day to discuss current job openings, ask about future opportunities, and obtain career and company information. Review the list of attending companies and their open positions plus job fair success tips! Contact Career Services for additional information or help.

CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF EMPLOYERS!

There will be a wide range of opportunities at this event. This a great way to meet many employers in one day to discuss current job openings, ask about future opportunities, and obtain career and company information. Review the list of attending companies and their open positions plus job fair success tips! Contact Career Services for additional information or help.

CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF EMPLOYERS!

There will be a wide range of opportunities at this event. This a great way to meet many employers in one day to discuss current job openings, ask about future opportunities, and obtain career and company information. Review the list of attending companies and their open positions plus job fair success tips! Contact Career Services for additional information or help.

CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF EMPLOYERS!

First impressions are important! If you want to make a positive first impression and stand out, we recommend that you dress in "business casual."

Business casual can include:

Women:

• Polo shirt
• Long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt
• Blouse
• Dress pants or khakis
• Dresses and skirts
• Sweater/cardigan/blazer
• Dress shoes, dress flats or 2" heels
• Make sure your clothes are neat, clean, wrinkle-free, and fit well
• Keep hair and nails neatly trimmed

Men:

• Polo shirt
• Long-sleeved, buttoned solid shirt
• Dress pants or khakis
• Sweater
• Blazer
• Tie
• Dress shoes
• Make sure your clothes are neat, clean, wrinkle-free, and fit well
• Keep hair, facial hair and nails neatly trimmed

AVOID:

• Short dresses and skirts. They should be no more than one inch above the knee.
• Jeans and leggings.
• Excessive jewelry, cologne or perfume. Cover tattoos.
• Bright colors, loud patterns and inappropriate logos/cartoons.
• Clothing that is torn, dirty or wrinkled.
• Revealing clothing and plunging neck lines.
• Flip flops, sandals and athletic clothing.

Come with a Plan!

Review which employers will be there: Check this webpage for an updated list of employers attending.

Research company information: Visit company websites to identify who you want to meet and what they do. Impress them with your knowledge about their organization.

Bring several copies of your resume: Drop in or schedule an appointment to have your resume reviewed by us in Career Services, Rm. A-1039 or 440-525-7222.

Prepare a 30-second commercial: Practice introducing yourself by preparing a summary of your background, skills and accomplishments. Tell the employer who you are, what opportunities you are seeking and what impresses you about their organization. The goal is to be comfortable talking about yourself. Create a list of talking points. Don't try to memorize a detailed script!

Develop appropriate questions: Prepare 2-3 questions you want to ask the employer. Example: What kind of entry level positions/internships exist in your organization? What do you look for in a good application? What qualities, skills or experience do you look for in candidates?

Take notes: Have a professional looking portfolio or a pad of paper and pen to gather information. Write down any important details about companies you are interested in. Include names of people who may not have given you business cards, and ask about the next steps of the hiring process.

Follow up: Follow-up with any conversation with an employer that was of interest with a thank you email. Express appreciation for their time and express your interest in the position. Take action and apply for positions in whatever way you were directed at the fair.

The Business & IT Career Fair brings job seekers and recruiters together. This is an opportunity for you to fill your full-time, career track, part-time and internship employment needs with trained students and alumni from Lakeland Community College, other regional two and four year colleges and university, and community job seekers. The Business & IT Career Fair is an ideal way for companies to:

• Meet and collect resumes from many qualified candidates
• Conduct short pre-interviews
• Network with other regional employers and Lakeland faculty
• Showcase your organization

Participating employers must have currently open, career-track technical, para-professional or professional positions. (See a list of some related academic programs.)

The registration fee is $100 per company/organization. You will receive one table, two chairs, complimentary beverages, and listing in the company directory and on the Business & IT Career Fair website viewed by thousands of job seekers.

Create exhibits, get results! Bring your own tablecloths and tabletop displays that showcase your company.

Clearly indicate the types of jobs you recruit for at your table.

Know your audience. Look at our list of degree programs so that you know what types of Lakeland Community College students to expect. (Job Seekers from other colleges or the community may have different academic backgrounds.)

Staff your table with recent graduates or alumni from Lakeland who can relate to Lakeland Community College students.

Please don't leave your table vacant; you might miss connecting with that perfect candidate if your table is unstaffed.

Have your recruiting team represent your organization's diversity. A diverse looking team reflects support of diversity within your company.

Do not solicit candidates to buy products and/or services.

Integrate high tech and high touch. Use technology to showcase your products, services, and organization.

Give items away at your table that will draw people to you. Be sure to have an adequate supply!

Have three or four screening questions ready to ask potential recruits as you collect their resumes at the Career Fair.

Adapted from material from The Employer's Guide to College Recruiting and Hiring, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Announcements on Lakeland Career Services' website (which receives over 10,000 hits per month), Facebook and LinkedIn.

Business and IT faculty promoting the Career Fair to students.

E-mails to students, faculty, staff and current users of Lakeland's online job board.

Flyers to Lakeland students, student organizations and other area colleges.

Posters and banners distributed across campus and the community.

Announcements in Lakeland Alumni Association's newsletter.

News releases in local publications and public service radio announcements.

Announcements on Lakeland's cable TV station and electronic street sign.

Create exhibits, get results! Bring your own tablecloths and tabletop displays that showcase your company.

Clearly indicate the types of jobs you recruit for at your table.

Know your audience. Look at our list of degree programs so that you know what types of Lakeland Community College students to expect. (Job Seekers from other colleges or the community may have different academic backgrounds.)

Staff your table with recent graduates or alumni from Lakeland who can relate to Lakeland Community College students.

Please don't leave your table vacant; you might miss connecting with that perfect candidate if your table is unstaffed.

Have your recruiting team represent your organization's diversity. A diverse looking team reflects support of diversity within your company.

Do not solicit candidates to buy products and/or services.

Integrate high tech and high touch. Use technology to showcase your products, services, and organization.

Give items away at your table that will draw people to you. Be sure to have an adequate supply!

Have three or four screening questions ready to ask potential recruits as you collect their resumes at the Career Fair.

Adapted from material from The Employer's Guide to College Recruiting and Hiring, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

HITTING DEAD ENDS USING GOOGLE TO FIND YOUR CAREER?

• Are you unsure about your career choice?
• Have you chosen a major but don't really know what actual jobs it can lead to?
• Would you like to speak to friendly professionals who look forward to speaking with you, individually, regarding their career path?

ATTEND THIS HELPFUL EVENT!

Expand your career choice options and hear how your career interests can crossover multiple occupation fields!

For example: Psychology majors can successfully pursue jobs in human resources, education, health, social services, management, program coordination, law and many more career fields simply by choosing the right course electives!

You will be able to speak with professionals from a variety of career fields:

For more information, contact:
Career Services
Rm. A-1039
440-525-7222
careerservices@lakelandcc.edu