Beginning the job search without proper preparation can feel like throwing a spaghetti noodle at the wall and hoping it sticks. Lucky for you, CalAgJobs has helpful tips to begin bridging the gap between you and your dream role by learning to research your niche.

1. Research companies that hire in your desired field
   • Agriculture is home to specialty careers that can seem like finding a needle in a haystack. Once you narrow down by things such as the location you’d like to live, the options can be narrowed down to a few key companies. It is important to research these companies and furthermore the people who work there. Which leads to our next point…
2. Investigate people who are in your dream role
   • Chances are, the person in your dream role followed a career trajectory that you can directly copy. If your goal is to be a Marketing Director at a nut company, find a person who holds that role on LinkedIn. Next, view their employment history and see if you’re on the right track. Their history may include a Social Media internship and a Marketing Assistant role. The more niche your role is, the more helpful this search will be to guide you in the right direction.
   • Get creative with your job title searches! The same kind of role can be listed under, for example, Administrator, Office Assistant, Human Resources, Office Supervisor, etc. You may have to dig around to find related job titles.
   • Put on your brave face and reach out to the people you found in your dream role. You will be surprised how many people will be willing to talk to you, especially if you are a student. The best thing you can do as a student is leverage your ability to navigate professional spaces as an observer and learn from willing minds.

Want to learn more? Contact us to ask questions and to request topics for future resources.