The job search requires a targeted and strategic approach. Networking, a strong LinkedIn profile, and tailored documents are essential in this process. We can help you create a successful job search strategy for your individual goals. Some popular sites in your job search are:

You should also attend career fairs and events and review the list of Employers with Dedicated Early Career Programs for Young Talent. If a job posting seems to be fraudulent (Identifying Fraudulent Job Postings article), please reach out to us for help!

Westfield State University and Indeed are partnering to bring you the Job Search Academy, a program with all of Indeed’s resources in one place to help you build your career. Explore Job Search Academy’s on-demand content and live programs to enhance your job search strategy, refine your resume, interview better, and more! You can also sign up for Job Search Academy’s email list to stay up to date on upcoming live workshops.


Graphic Design & Visual Arts

General Search Engines with Art Postings

Portfolio Resources

General Business Search Engines

Marketing & Sales

Accounting/Finance/Economics

Human Resources

Corrections

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Loss Prevention Jobs

Law Enforcement

Juvenile Justice

Court System & State Jobs

Federal Agencies and Offices

International Criminal Justice

Public Schools

Private, Charter and Independent Schools

International Teaching Opportunities

Alternative Teaching Opportunities

Higher Education

Additional Resources

Federal Job Options & Benefits

Searching for Federal Jobs

The Application Process

When applying for a federal position be sure to read the posting carefully and submit all the required materials. You will always be updated as to the status of your application and will be notified if you are accepted or denied.

General Schedule: Grade Level
The General Schedule, the most common system among federal agencies, assigns every job a grade level from 1 to 15, according to the minimum level of education and experience its workers need.

Federal Resumes

Publishing/Public Relations

Writing & General Resources

Travel Writing/Freelance Writing

Creative/Film/Television

Science, Medical & Technical Writing

Additional Resources

WSU Veteran & Military Services – Get help with understanding federal/state benefits, campus resources and other areas of importance in your academic career.

Veterans Employment Tool Kit

Military to Civilian Transferable Skills Identifier

LinkedIn Premium for Service Members and Veterans

Occupational Outlook Handbook – A nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives.

Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) -This is a great tool if you’re interested in entrepreneurship or owning a small business. SCORE offers online mentorship from retired business owners–for free! It’s a good idea to enlist advice from someone who’s already made it in the civilian world. There’s even a special segment dedicated for helping Veterans, Guards and Reservists.

100,000 Jobs Mission- This mission is made up of more than 120 private sector companies who have made it their goal to hire at least 100,000 US military veterans by 2020. Check it out!

American Corporate Partner -This is another mentorship-focused resource aimed at connecting veterans with business leaders. It’s awesome for networking opportunities, specifically for veterans.

Military Times-First and foremost, this is the best news aggregator for veterans. Additionally, you’ll see career fairs in various industry sectors, like law enforcement.

Military.com- They’ve got a Transition Center, that offers a “veteran employers” search engine as well.

Department of Defense: You can apply to jobs at the Department of Defense or take a look into their “Department of Defense Hiring Heroes Program.” This program offers recruitment assistance to veterans who are wounded, ill or transitioning. This is where you’ll find specialized career fairs as well for veterans and their spouses.

National Veterans Foundation-This organization offers a Lifeline for Vets service, which allows you to talk to people who will listen. It also offers vital resources, like an in-depth Veteran Benefits Resource Center.

Candorful – help prepare for job interviews with Candorful.  This service helps job seekers who are Service Members or Veterans need to translate their experiences and skills to launch their career.

Tips for Transitioning from Military to Career

How AI Can Help:

  • Identify potential career paths
  • Locate employers hiring in your desired industry and location
  • Draft outreach messages and assist with networking efforts

Sample Prompts:

  • “Here are my interests and strengths: __. What career paths should I explore and why?”
  • “Generate effective Boolean search strings for jobs in __ located in __.”
  • “Based on this job posting, what skills am I missing? Suggest free or low-cost ways to build them.”
  • “Draft a concise, introductory email expressing my interest in working for their company.”
  • “Give me 10 questions to ask at a career fair for employers in ____.”
  • “Help me write a follow-up message after meeting a recruiter at a career fair.”