← Back to Hub
Career Development Program · Week 9

Job Searching (Offline)

Your toolkit is ready. Now it's time to find the right jobs, starting with the people and places around you.

Many jobs are never posted online, or get filled by someone the manager already knows. Talking to people, walking into businesses, and building a target list of employers can open doors that job sites miss.

This week you'll choose your target job titles, build a list of employers, and tell your network you're looking.

This week you’ll learn

How to choose 5 job titles to focus on
How to research and list employers near you
How to use your network and walk-ins to find openings

This week’s lessons

Read each short lesson, then answer the questions in the worksheet below.

Lesson 1

Find jobs through people and places

Focus on a few jobs you'd do well, and look beyond job sites.

Choose 5 job titles that match your skills. Example: prep cook, line cook, dishwasher, food service worker, cafeteria attendant.
Research who hires for them. Think restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, warehouses and food manufacturers near you or along your commute.
Make a list of employers with their address, phone and website.
Reach out to ask about openings, including ones that aren't posted.
Know your must-haves: the lowest pay you'll accept, how far you can travel, and the hours you're available.

Lesson 2

Tell your network

Let friends, family, neighbors, your faith or community groups, and former coworkers know you're looking. Be specific:

"I'm looking for a full-time kitchen job in Hyattsville or DC. I'm ServSafe certified. If you hear of anything, would you let me know?"

Lesson 3

Walk in the right way

Go between 2 and 4 PM, not during lunch or dinner rush.
Dress neatly and bring copies of your resume.
Ask for the manager by name if you can.
Have a 30-second introduction ready.
Write down who you talked to and follow up in a week.

Lesson 4

Use your program resources

Check the Local Jobs Directory (ask your coach for the latest link), updated several times a week, and ask your coach about employers in the Union Kitchen network.

Worksheet: My job search plan

These questions match the Week 9 worksheet in the workbook. You can type your answers into the PDF, write them by hand, or submit this form. Your coach sees what you submit online.

Download the workbook (PDF)

* Required

Section 1 — Your name

Staff match this form to your CDP record. Use the name we have on file.

Please enter a valid email address.

What is your full name?

This question is required.

Find jobs through people and places

Focus on a few jobs you'd do well, and look beyond job sites.

1. Choose 5 job titles that match your skills. Example: prep cook, line cook, dishwasher, food service worker, cafeteria attendant.

2. Research who hires for them. Think restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, warehouses and food manufacturers near you or along your commute.

3. Make a list of employers with their address, phone and website.

4. Reach out to ask about openings, including ones that aren't posted.

5. Know your must-haves: the lowest pay you'll accept, how far you can travel, and the hours you're available.

Use your program resources: Check the Local Jobs Directory (ask your coach for the latest link), updated several times a week, and ask your coach about employers in the Union Kitchen network.

Review the lessons

My 5 target job titles

Job title 1

This question is required.

Job title 2

This question is required.

Job title 3

This question is required.

Job title 4

This question is required.

Job title 5

This question is required.

My target employers

Employer · Contact (phone, email, address) · Date contacted / notes

Employer 1

This question is required.

Employer 1 — Contact (phone, email, address)

This question is required.

Employer 1 — Date contacted / notes

This question is required.

Employer 2

This question is required.

Employer 2 — Contact (phone, email, address)

This question is required.

Employer 2 — Date contacted / notes

This question is required.

Employer 3

This question is required.

Employer 3 — Contact (phone, email, address)

This question is required.

Employer 3 — Date contacted / notes

This question is required.

Employer 4

This question is required.

Employer 4 — Contact (phone, email, address)

This question is required.

Employer 4 — Date contacted / notes

This question is required.

Employer 5

This question is required.

Employer 5 — Contact (phone, email, address)

This question is required.

Employer 5 — Date contacted / notes

This question is required.

Tell your network

Let friends, family, neighbors, your faith or community groups, and former coworkers know you're looking. Be specific:

"I'm looking for a full-time kitchen job in Hyattsville or DC. I'm ServSafe certified. If you hear of anything, would you let me know?"

Review the lessons

3 people I'll tell I'm looking for work

Person 1

This question is required.

Person 2

This question is required.

Person 3

This question is required.

Walk in the right way

Go between 2 and 4 PM, not during lunch or dinner rush.

Dress neatly and bring copies of your resume.

Ask for the manager by name if you can.

Have a 30-second introduction ready.

Write down who you talked to and follow up in a week.

Review the lessons

Write your 30-second introduction.

Who you are, the job you want, and one strength.

This question is required.

Know your must-haves

Know your must-haves: the lowest pay you'll accept, how far you can travel, and the hours you're available.

Review the lessons

Lowest hourly pay I’ll accept

This question is required.

How far I can travel

This question is required.

Hours I’m available

This question is required.

Thank you!

Thank you. Your Week 9 Job Searching (Offline) work is in. Come back to the CDP page next week for Job Searching (Online).