Search for Jobs
Explore job search resources, from finding opportunities and networking to interviewing and navigating the hiring process.
When should I start applying?
One of the most common questions we hear from students is, “When do I actually need to start applying?” The reality is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Your timeline depends heavily on the specific industry you want to break into.
Here is a general breakdown to keep you on track:
The early birds (8–10 months ahead): Large corporations hiring for structured post-grad leadership development programs or highly sought after summer internships (think fashion, retail, and financial services) usually recruit about 9 months in advance. Meaning you need to start applying in the fall to start work the following summer. Federal government agencies also have notoriously long lead times, so start early if government work is your goal.
The standard timeline (4 months ahead): For most other industries (think startups, nonprofits, and local organizations), the hiring timeline tends to be shorter. For these roles, we recommend kicking off your search about four months before your target start date.
Not sure which timeline your desired industry follows? Don’t guess! Schedule a quick chat with your career advisor to map out a personalized plan.
Your job search toolkit
A great place to start is the Undergraduate Career Guide, which is designed to help walk you through the job search process – from where to look for employment, all the way through the interviewing stage.
Explore the steps below to find strategies you need for every phase of your search:
Don’t just scroll endlessly. Learn how to search smarter. Since we are a Handshake school, you already have access to the #1 student-focused job platform out there. Here is how to get the most out of the system:
Let the algorithm work for you: Type a role, skill, or industry into the search bar on Handshake and the built-in AI functionality will provide personalized matches of what jobs and internships are actually available for students at our school.
Filter like a pro: Stop wading through jobs you aren’t interested in. Hit “All Filters” to narrow things down by what actually matters to you: fully remote roles, paid internships, or even recruiters who have their “open to messaging” flag turned on.
Set it & forget it: Save your highly specific searches and turn on “Job Alerts”. You will get an automatic ping the second a role drops that matches your exact criteria.
Browse our curated collections: Skip the digging and check out the curated collections right on your Handshake dashboard, where our team regularly rounds up active opportunities well suited for our majors. Check out the Job Opportunities that are well suited to Human Ecology in the next section as well. If you are looking for Internships, click here.
Do your homework: Handshake isn’t just for applying to jobs. Follow your favorite companies to track their activity, research their organizational culture, and see who is actively hiring new grads.
Find more Internship & Job Search Resources in our Undergraduate Career Guide.
An informational interview or “career conversation” isn’t a high-stakes job interview or even an opportunity to ask for a job. It is simply a casual conversation with someone doing work you’re curious about to get real insights into the day-to-day of that specific career path. The more informed you are about a potential career, the better equipped you will be to apply for it. Here is how to make the most of these career conversations:
Capitalize on the quick chat: Ask professionals in your industries of interest for a quick 15-20 minute virtual chat to hear about their career journey. It’s a low-pressure way to get insider advice about a role or organization. Be explicit that you are seeking their perspective and advice, not asking for a job offer, i.e. “As a fellow Human Ecology grad, would you be willing to meet with me briefly to share how you got where you are today?
Play the “student card”: People naturally love helping current students. Reach out to alumni on LinkedIn using a polite, simple opener. For instance: “I’m a current UW student studying Interior Architecture and love seeing how your interior design career has unfolded since you graduated.”
Ask thoughtful questions: Don’t waste time asking basic questions you could easily find on Google or their LinkedIn profile. Instead, focus on their journey. Ask open-ended questions like: “What does a typical day actually look like?”, “What skills do you use most?”, or “What do you wish you knew before you graduated?”
Request a referral: Always end the conversation with the ultimate networking question: “Based on my interests, is there anyone else in your network you think I should talk to?” This single question can help your network grow organically.
Send a brief thank you: Follow up within 24 hours with a quick note to thank them for their time and share a specific takeaway from your conversation. This simple step can help keep that door open and turn a one-time chat into a long-term mentoring relationship.
Networking doesn’t have to mean awkwardly handing out business cards while wearing a suit at a job fair. It is simply about building relationships, which is actually how the majority of jobs are found. Learn how to network like a pro below and visit our Career Fair tips next on how to specifically make job fairs less awkward:
Level up your LinkedIn: Treat your LinkedIn profile like your professional landing page. Add a headshot, write a headline that tells employers who you are and what you are looking for, and turn on the “Open to Work” setting so recruiters can easily spot you. If you don’t have a headshot, you can take one for free at the Iris Air Photo Booth in Grainger Hall. Learn more about Building A Great Student LinkedIn Profile in our Career Guide.
Send a professional connection request: Don’t be afraid to send a polite, brief message to someone working your dream job. Just keep it authentic and tell them why you would like to connect. Once connected, you can ask for their advice or perspective. Just don’t ask for a job offer right off the bat.
Tap the alumni network: Our alumni want to help you win. Use the LinkedIn Alumni tool to find UW grads working at your target companies. Sending a message that starts with “I’m a current student at UW–Madison…” is the ultimate icebreaker. Connect directly with fellow Human Ecology students, faculty, and alumni in our LinkedIn Group for Students & Alumni.
Unlock the hidden job market: Up to 70% of open roles are filled before they ever even hit a public job board. Building real connections is your backstage pass to getting recommended for these unlisted opportunities.
Career fairs don’t have to feel like a high-stress marathon. Think of them as a speed-networking event. They offer a low-stakes chance to explore your options, ask questions from people who work at your target companies, and get your resume directly into the hands of a human. Conquer the career fair with these best practices:
Scope the room on Handshake: Check Handshake before the fair to see which employers are attending, who is hiring for your major, and bookmark your “must-visit” tables. Make sure your profile is up to date as employers are often scoping students prior to visiting campus as well.
Print plenty of resumes: Bring at least 10 paper copies of your resume. Even in a digital world, handing a physical copy to a recruiter gives them an instant visual and something to scribble quick notes on while talking to you. Remember to run it through Big Resume first to catch any last-minute formatting issues. Or send it in to careers@sohe.wisc.edu for an electronic review.
Dress for success: Aim for smart or business casual, even if you are coming straight from class. Think polished trousers, a crisp button-down, a blouse, or a blazer. Skip the athletic wear and sweatpants. Most importantly: wear shoes you can comfortably stand and walk in for an hour or two.
Warm up first: First fair? Don’t make your dream employer your very first stop. Visit a few of the other tables first to practice your introduction, shake off the jitters, and build your confidence before approaching your top 5.
Ditch the robotic pitch: Reciting a script sounds stiff. You don’t have to memorize your intro. Just share your name, major, a quick note about something you are interested or involved in, and one reason why that company caught your attention. Follow-up with a question to invite conversation.
Ask strategic questions: Instead of just asking “Are you hiring?” try: “What’s a project your team is working on right now?” or “What surprised you most about working here?” The benefit of attending a fair is talking to a real human who works there. So what do you want to learn from them?
Plan to follow up: The minute you walk away from a booth, jot down a few quick notes about who you talked to. Within 24 hours, connect with them on LinkedIn with a brief and personalized note to keep you on their radar.
Your resume and cover letter are often your first impression when it comes to the job search process. Let’s make sure they actually get read, and don’t get immediately filtered into the “NO” pile.
Beat the bots: Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human ever sees them. Skip the fancy graphics and photos and use a clean, ATS-friendly style that algorithms can actually read.
Tailor everything: A generic resume is one that won’t even get read. Tweak your bullet points and keywords for every single application so they directly match the language and keywords used throughout the job description. Check out our Sample Application Packages by Major for more on how to tailor.
Show impact, not just duties: Don’t just list what you were supposed to do in the job. Instead, prove what you actually achieved. Start every bullet point with a strong action verb and drop in numbers whenever you can (think: “Managed a $5,000 event budget” instead of “Helped manage budget for events”). Learn more about how to write high-impact bullet points in the Resume Guidelines section of the Career Guide.
Include a cover letter: Write a cover letter for each job you apply for. Even if they don’t ask for one. Don’t just repeat your resume. Instead, use your cover letter as an opportunity to tell a short, compelling story about why you want this specific role and what unique energy you bring to the team. Start with our Cover Letter Guidelines to learn how to write one.
Get a second set of eyes: Before you hit submit, run your resume through Big Resume and have both documents reviewed by a career advisor. We offer electronic resume and cover letter reviews to help you polish your bullet points and catch any typos or formatting issues you might have missed. Just send them in to careers@sohe.wisc.edu to request one.
Visit the Creating a Tailored Application Package section of the Undergraduate Career Guide for additional guidance on how to ensure your application stands out.
For Design, Innovation & Society, Interior Architecture, Textiles & Fashion Design, and other creative majors, you’ll want to build a portfolio that showcases your work to include as part of your application package. Employers want to see how you think, solve problems, and turn concepts into execution. Here is how to get started with building a professional portfolio:
Curate, don’t dump: Quality always beats quantity when it comes to your portfolio. Focus on 3-5 strong, intentional projects that highlight the type of work you want to be hired for, rather than every class assignment you’ve ever completed.
Include context: Always include a 2–3 sentence “Summary” at the top of every project that includes: The Challenge (what was the brief?), The Tools (e.g., Revit, Adobe Suite, Clo3D, hand sketching), and The Final Outcome (what was the impact?). For team or studio projects, clearly state what you were personally responsible for (e.g., “Lead spatial layout,” “Fabric sourcing,” or “User research”).
Show the “messy middle”: Don’t just showcase polished final renders or photos. Employers hire problem solvers and want to see your creative process. Include mood boards, rough sketches, material samples, wireframes, and failed iterations to walk them through how you got from idea to implementation.
Keep it frictionless: Host your portfolio on an easy-to-navigate platform like Adobe Portfolio, Squarespace, Wix, or Behance. Make sure it loads fast on mobile and don’t password-protect your public link unless a company explicitly requested NDA-restricted work.
Prep a “presentation deck” version: Your website portfolio is designed for quick scrolling by a recruiter. Create a separate, presentation-ready PDF or slide deck version designed for live, 15-minute portfolio reviews during interviews if requested.
AI isn’t meant to replace your voice or do the work for you. Instead, generative AI can help you brainstorm, spot skill gaps, and prep for your job search in a fraction of the time. Learn how to use these tools ethically and strategically as part of your search:
Lock down your privacy: Always log into Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini using your UW–Madison NetID. This activates enterprise data protection so your information stays private and isn’t used to train public models. (Reminder: never enter sensitive personal info like your home address or SSN into any AI tool).
Draft, don’t copy & paste: Use AI as a brainstorming buddy, not a ghostwriter. Generative AI is great for creating initial cover letter outlines and overcoming writer’s block when it comes to bullet points on your resume, but you should always rewrite the final output so your authentic voice and real experiences shine through.
Get AI feedback on demand: Take advantage of campus-sponsored tools like Big Resume to check your resume formatting against applicant tracking systems (ATS), and Big Interview to get real-time AI feedback on your spoken delivery and tone before the actual interview.
Explore the AI Career Toolkit: Ready to level up your prompt skills? Dive into the UW–Madison AI Career Toolkit for custom prompt templates, practical guides, and ethical best practices designed specifically for student job seekers.
Interviewing doesn’t have to feel like a high-stakes interrogation. It is simply a two-way conversation to see if you and the team are a mutual fit, and your chance to bring your resume to life. Your resume doesn’t land you the job. Your interview does. So follow these tips to turn an interview into an offer:
Ditch the script: Review common interview questions in advance, but know that memorizing answers word-for-word will make you sound stiff. Outline a few core talking points and stories instead so your natural personality can shine through in an interview.
Master the STAR Method: Frame your experiences using the STAR Method, focusing on the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Employers love concrete examples, so make sure to highlight the direct impact of your specific actions, even when you are talking about a group project.
Practice out loud: Practicing your responses in your head is totally different from speaking them out loud. Use your free UW–Madison access to Big Interview to record mock interviews, get instant AI feedback, and polish your delivery before the real deal.
Flip the script: Remember, you are interviewing them, too. Bring 3-4 thoughtful questions about company culture, team dynamics, or day-to-day tasks to show genuine interest in working there and make sure the role aligns with your goals.
Seal the deal with a follow-up: Send a brief, personalized thank-you email within 24 hours. Mention a specific topic you discussed to show you were engaged and to leave a lasting positive impression.
Visit Your Guide to a Successful Interview in our Undergraduate Career Guide for more interview prep guidance.
Identity & work
Your unique lived experiences, background, and perspectives are assets in the workplace. Use these tailored resources to navigate company cultures, evaluate inclusive employers, and advocate for yourself throughout the hiring process.
Explore specialized guides for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, first-gen, international, and student-veteran job seekers provided by our campus partners in SuccessWorks in the College of Letters & Sciences.
Requesting accommodations: Read the UW–Madison Guide to Workplace Accommodations to understand your rights under the ADA, when to disclose a condition, and how to request reasonable accommodations during interviews or on the job.
On-campus job accommodations: Applying for a student job on campus? Visit UW–Madison Employee Disability Resources (EDR) to learn how to request accommodations during the application and hiring process or in your current campus role.
1-on-1 career accessibility support: Connect with the McBurney Disability Resource Center to meet with a transition consultant or access their Career Accessibility & Readiness Program for personalized guidance on disability disclosure, accommodation strategies, and workplace self-advocacy.
Access legal guidance, fellowship opportunities, and career navigation strategies tailored for undocumented Badgers.
SuccessWorks Career Guide for Undocumented Students: Explore non-traditional career pathways, including independent contracting/freelancing using an ITIN, fellowship opportunities, and entrepreneurship.
UW Immigrant Justice Clinic: Schedule a free legal consultation with UW Law faculty and students for guidance on legal status and immigration options.
Campus support & advocacy: Connect with the Office of Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) for confidential advocacy, campus resources, and student support tailored for DACA recipients and undocumented Badgers.
Finding employers who align with your identity and values is all about knowing where to look. Here is how students can filter and spot inclusive employers on Handshake:
GoinGlobal (Access via Handshake): Heading abroad or searching for U.S. companies with a history of H-1B sponsorship? Access GoinGlobal directly under the Career Center > Resources tab in your Handshake account to search country-specific career guides and H-1B visa databases.
Filter for inclusive employers: Use Handshake’s employer filters and event listings to identify companies actively attending diverse hiring fairs, offering specialized fellowships, and hosting Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Employers often host virtual coffee chats, identity-focused panels, and specialized networking sessions specifically to recruit diverse talent.
Explore company profiles: Click into an employer’s Handshake profile to check out their workplace culture details. Inclusive employers will explicitly highlight their ERGs, talk about diversity in their mission statements, and offer mentorship programs for underrepresented employees.
Connect with students & alumni: Check the “Reviews” or “Students Who Worked Here” tab on employer pages to message Badgers from similar backgrounds and ask about their lived experiences at the company.
Searching for a job or internship in the U.S. comes with a unique layer of logistics—from understanding work authorization to adapting to American workplace culture. But remember: your global perspective, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills are major assets that forward-thinking employers actively look for. Here are a few things to keep in mind as an international student navigating the job search in the United States:
Own your global superpower: Don’t downplay your international background on your resume or in interviews. Multilingualism, resilience, and the ability to navigate new systems are high-level competencies that make you stand out as a problem solver.
Target visa-friendly employers: Don’t waste time shouting into the void. Access GoinGlobal (available directly through your UW–Madison Handshake account) to search their H-1B database and identify U.S. companies that historically sponsor international talent. You can also see which U.S. employers are hiring international students on MyVisaJobs.
Master the CPT & OPT timeline: Get ahead of the paperwork early. Connect with International Student Services (ISS) so you fully understand how Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) work long before you receive an offer. Be sure to complete all necessary paperwork for approval through Terra Dotta.
Adapt to U.S.-style networking: In the American job market, proactive networking isn’t seen as pushy—it’s expected! Sharing your accomplishments on LinkedIn or requesting a 15-minute coffee chat shows initiative and curiosity.
Prep your work authorization pitch: Practice answering questions about whether sponsorship is needed with clarity and confidence. Frame your answer positively: lead with your eligibility for U.S. work authorization via CPT, since an internship is required of all Human Ecology majors, then pivot back to the unique skills you bring to the team.
Connect with the global Badger network: Reach out to international UW–Madison alumni on LinkedIn. Alumni who walked in your shoes know the process firsthand and are often the most eager to offer advice, mentorship, and referrals.
Job opportunities
Internship and job websites
Reserve an interview space
Need a quiet place for a virtual or phone interview? Human Ecology students can reserve an interview room in Nancy Nicholas Hall with reliable internet access for free! Submit a request at least 2 business days before your interview, and we’ll follow up with details.