There are many rewarding career opportunities at UC Santa Barbara.
While, finding and getting the job that is the best fit for you
can sometimes seem daunting, it is not impossible. This guide is
designed to help uncover the mystique of obtaining a job at UCSB.
A common misconception about applying for jobs at UC Santa Barbara
is that the more jobs an applicant applies for, the more likely
he or she will get a job offer. Applicants often take the “shotgun”
approach: apply for all open jobs and hope that one of the applications
hits a match. The Online Employment System makes this even easier
to do because applicants only need to fill out the application once,
and they can use it to apply to as many jobs as they want.
This is not the best strategy for two reasons. First, to be successful
at UCSB, you need to have a job that is a “good fit.”
You will not be happy or successful in the wrong job. Secondly,
it is usually clear to hiring managers who is truly interested and
qualified for their job and who is just trying to get a job. The
goal of your job search should be to find the job that is right
for you, and then show the hiring manager that you are right for
that job.
Before beginning your job search you should evaluate yourself using the following questions:
- What are my strengths and weaknesses?
- What are my goals?
- What types of experience do I have?
- Where do my interests lie?
Log on to the Online Employment System at http://jobs.ucsb.edu and view postings. Focus on the Duties, Minimum Requirements and Desirable Requirements of the job. Compare your self-evaluation to the posting details of each job. As you consider each job posting, try to think in terms of what you can provide the department.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are the duties for the job similar to work you have done in the past?
- Do you posses the minimum requirements? UCSB policy prevents hiring managers from considering applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements. When considering jobs that require a minimum amount of experience, remember that internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs and leadership roles in clubs and organizations are all legitimate sources of experience.
- Do you meet any of the desirable requirements? The job market is very competitive, and you probably will not be the only qualified candidate for the position. Desirable requirements are often important for identifying the candidate with the best fit for the position.
- Does the job fit into your long-term career goals? Remember that you may need to consider positions other than the level in which you were formerly employed and work your way up to reach your employment objectives.
Hint:
A great way to gain valuable UCSB experience is through temporary
work. Departments can hire temporary employees (limited appointments)
without recruiting through Human Resources. Departments often find
limited appointment employees through word-of-mouth, the Santa Barbara
News Press and other job posting sites. Contact departments directly
to inquire about temporary employment. Other resources for temporary
employment are temporary employment services. UCSB has contracts
with these temporary personnel services:
Apple One: 805-569-9024
SB Staffing: 805-965-0511 ext. 2102
Select Staffing: 805-687-1200