CollegeRecruiter.com Insights by Candidates Blog


Search Jobs

What: job title or keywords

Where: city, state



Search Content

Career-related articles, blogs, videos, podcasts, and more.





Do you have a question or comment?




ABOUT SSL CERTIFICATES
CollegeRecruiter.com has tens of thousands of pages of career-related articles, blogs, videos, podcasts, and other content. To find the information that you want, enter one or more keywords into this search engine:

It's okay to think about the future. In fact, you have to think about the future if you want to accomplish your goals. Many people are discouraged by the noise of statistics, the news, and flat out lies the media wants to feed recent college graduates. The truth lies in their ability to focus on their goals. You can ask anyone whom wanted to accomplish certain goals, but decided to give up.

What was their reason (or excuse)?
Why did they allow failure to control their hearts?
How would you feel if you were in their position?

You never know the answer to your problems until you face them head on. I, personally, can vouch for personal failure because it happens.

It happens to everyone.

What do you do after you see your dreams crumble before your eyes?

.. You get ready to fight for your dreams.
.. You search for an answer to your problems.
.. You plan, get ready, and focus on the next step.

Nothing can stand in your way when you decide to focus on achieving your goals. I've stumbled, crawled, rolled, and even dived through my troubles to find answers. I've taken each encounter into consideration in order to make a better decision. I've cried...

Success is standing right in front of you... are you ready to take a stand?

If you are, you have to start today.

Stop waiting for tomorrow to come.. stop dwelling on yesterday's failures.

You are the only one responsible for reaching your goals. You have to take control of yourself before you can take control of your situation. Own up to your responsibilities and let everything fall in place - it only happens when you focus.


RadioShack is a leading electronics company that helps customers overcome technology barriers by educating, supporting, and encouraging questions. The company began in Fort Worth, Texas when two young men, Norton Hinckley and Dave L. Tandy (1889-1966) decided to work together by opening an electronic mail order business in 1919. It was unknown at the time, but Dave L. Tandy's oldest son, Charles Tandy, would acquire his father's niche for business. Charles Tandy's abilities kept his ambitions alive during the WWII when many companies were struggling.

Half way across the nation, two brothers named Theodore and Milton Deutschmann, opened a small company called 'RadioShack' in Boston. By 1921 RadioShack was the leading electronic mail order business in Northeast of Boston. The small, hobbyist store sold radio equipment to the ships throughout the US. Soon, the company focused on local neighborhoods throughout the Boston area which lead to its expansion in 1960.

In 1960, franchises were established in nine retail locations. RadioShack remained a small, enthusiasts store until Charles Tandy acquired the struggling company in 1963. The role of electronics was in a booming stage by 1970s which lead to more coverage in the areas of personal computers (TRS-80), citizen band (CB) radios, and the first mobile cellular phone. Charles Tandy's vision for success is the reason recent college grads have an opportunity to continue his legacy and accomplish their dreams of leadership in technology.

RadioShack offers an array of employment opportunities in their corporate office in Dallas- Ft. Worth, Texas. Some entry level positions and internships are available through these departments:

  • Accounting/Financial
  • Administrative/Clerical
  • Communications/Public Relations
  • Customer Service
  • Human Resources
  • Information Systems
  • Inside Sales
  • Marketing/Advertising
  • Merchandising
  • Real Estate
  • Security
  • Supply Chain/Logistics

Recent graduates have an opportunity to work in an entry level job or internships that encourages growth within the company. If corporate is not in your location, you can apply to one of the hundreds RadioShack locations for a retail position such as a Sales Associate, Seasonal Sales Associate, Store Management, or Wireless Sales.

Technical areas of Service Technician Service Centers are for highly-talented grads and students with experience in electronics repair. With only six centers available, these positions are very important. Service Technicians are responsible for repairing PCS, cellular, consumer electronics, and computers. Each position offers a challenge to overcome fears of sales and increase your skills as a young professional.

Recent college grads and students can apply for RadioShack entry level positions here. Before you make the decision, remember RadioShack is an equal opportunity employer that embraces recent grads and current students from diverse backgrounds. With RadioShack, you can evolve into an experienced professional in your given field - not necessarily your college major. Diversity is the key to success; RadioShack prefers individuals with a multiple set of skills that allow flexibility in job responsibilities.

You may ask yourself, 'What makes RadioShack employees stand out from the rest?' RadioShack's employees love electronics and love to educate consumers on the latest technology. Employees enjoy life-long learning opportunities and challenges. Find an entry level job and apply if you are ready to take the next step with RadioShack.

T-Mobile USA is an US-based entity of T-Mobile International AG, a subsidiary company of Deutsche Telekom AG, with over 120 million customers worldwide. T-Mobile also employs over 36,000 employees from a diverse background of experience in telecommunications. Since 2002, T-Mobile began to dominate the wireless industry by communication breakthroughs in handsets, services, and customer satisfaction. By 2009, it expects to launch larger, more promising programs to its users. In order to do this, T-Mobile is in need of recent college grads to add breadth to its team.

T-Mobile is a wireless, data, and voice telecommunications' company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. With its reach of over 268 million customers, it is expanding annually and is in search of highly talented recent college grads to add to its team. At T-Mobile, the purpose is plain and simple; employees are helping families and friends 'Stick Together' through its line of products and services.

This company is known for its in-depth training of its associates, and recruits can expect the best. Before taking the next step, many college students have an opportunity to work with the wireless industry's top experts in the 12-week internships in:

  • Finance
  • Sales
  • Business Operations
  • Engineering
  • Product Development
  • Customer Service
  • Human Resources

An outgoing personality will do wonders in your career with T-Mobile. Associates must be able to talk with prospects directly, answer questions confidently, and provide outstanding service at all times. These are high standards; T-Mobile expects its employees to exceed their comfort zones in order to become professionals. Are you up for this type of challenge?

If you have a personal drive to help keep families and friends together, T-Mobile is the best company that will 'stick' the mantra to your skills in an entry level job. Recent college graduates with a light sense of humor, ability to learn new technologies and educate others on their benefits will find T-Mobile to be a great starting point for their careers. Recent graduates and students of all backgrounds including Business Administration, Computer Science, Accounting/Finance, and Information Technology have an opportunity to reach their career and academic goals through T-Mobile's advanced education program.

If this is not enough to tickle your fancy, T-Mobile has a global presence and supports community service projects across the US. Your desire to help can lead you in many positive directions with T-Mobile. Recent college grads interested in entry level positions with this company have an eye-opening experience waiting. Not only that, but T-Mobile has been ranked #1 by JD Power and Associates for the 2007 Wireless Regional Customer Satisfaction, #1 for the 2008 Wireless Customer Care Performance, and the 2007 Wireless Retail Sales Satisfaction Performance studies.

Awards are only one face of T-Mobile; recent college grads interested in entry level jobs with this company is what the customers will see. Are you ready to be the face of an award-winning wireless company like T-Mobile? Think about what is available, apply, and see what happens as you move forward in your sales career with an industry leader in keeping families together.

Valpak is a direct marketing and advertising firm based in Largo, Florida, with central locations in over 200 markets across the US. Students across the country are linking into focus with highly advertised positions in Advertising Account Executives and more with this company. Entry level jobs in the advertising industry offer recent grads an opportunity to engage customers and develop skills to enhance their careers.


Never heard of this firm? Well, Valpak is a blue envelope direct marketing company that connects advertisers to their audience. When people think of value, they think of Valpak. Thus, you are entering into a company that is founded on trust, integrity, and value. With Valpak, entry level positions means face-to-face, online, and in-the mail sales to clients. Valpak does not offer internships for recent college students, but students can apply for entry level positions available.

Valpak's entry level jobs go beyond the sales origin of Advertising Account Executives and links into the interworking of its offices including positions in:

  • Administration
  • Marketing/Communications
  • Information Technology
  • Retail Business Solution/PMO
  • Production Operations
  • Graphics
  • Accounting/Finance
  • Human Resources/Training

Recent college graduates are in for a treat; Valpak employees receive 401(K) with company match, medical and dental insurance, mail order prescriptions, life insurance, paid sick/personal time, and paid holidays. These incentives are running short due to today's economy thus it is another reason to consider Valpak as the starting point of your career. Aside from the amazing benefits offered, recent college grads have an opportunity for Career Development and Tuition Assistance if they are interested in pursuing higher degrees.

Recent college grads and students interested in pursing a sales career with Valpak can apply here. The opportunities are there and over 200 markets available in the US.

Valpak pursues business-savvy potentials that are willing to search for opportunities in their chosen markets. As a Valpak professional, your performance enhances financial awards and incentives.Valpak expects its employees to 'go for the gold' by applying their skills, knowledge, and experience into their position. You will never have a boring day or a 'routine' because your career is ever changing with the advertising industry. You can expect challenges, rewards, and advancement with Valpak. Recent grads are considered a valuable asset at Valpak because grads can add a fresh perspective to their company. With driven ambitions, your career choice is promising.

If you like independence, flexibility, and challenges, Valpak has the perfect career opportunities waiting for you. Recent grads and students can tap into the unlimited benefits offered through Valpak's competitive base salaries plus commission through their advertising careers. New recruits are given paid training and mentorship throughout their careers.

Interested in working with an innovative and continuing company? Valpak's innovation has lasted for over 40 years and counting. If this does not impress you, imagine working with a team of successful individuals always searching for the next challenge.


As you set out to find an entry level job in your chosen field, you will likely hear people mention several terms that may be unfamiliar to you. Many of these things have an effect upon the area of the job market you are seeking to enter so understanding some of the more important ones can be very helpful to your entry level job search. One of the most important phrases you are likely to hear discussed is the unemployment rate. Though you may already understand what the unemployment rate is, knowing its effect on the entry level job market can make the process of finding entry level positions much easier.

The unemployment rate is an average arrived at by figuring out how many people are unemployed as compared to the total number of people in an area. To give an example, a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics showed that the state of Michigan had the highest unemployment rate in March of 2008. The states unemployment rate at that time was 7.2% meaning that just over seven out of every one hundred people residing in the state during March of 2008 were unemployed.

Understanding what the unemployment rate means isn't enough though. What this will do to the entry level job market is even more important. What can we deduce from unemployment rates from the perspective of an entry level job seeker? To continue with the example already cited, a 7.2% unemployment rate, would equate to stiff competition for available entry level employment opportunities. This competition would also lead to lowered salaries and less appealing incentive plans because the companies offering entry level jobs would have more applicants to choose from. To the inverse, a very low unemployment rate, such as the 2.5% rate of South Dakota in March of 2008, would indicate a growing economy with more entry level jobs than applicants. This lack of competition for jobs leads to higher wages and incentive plans designed to attract new recruits.

By understanding the principles which govern the entry level job market, you can use a knowledge of your areas economic situation to find the best opportunities for entry level jobs.

Do you have an interest in entering a particular field but aren't completely sure you could spend your whole career doing that job? Are you wanting to experience a career first hand but don't have the time for an internship opportunity? Do you want to know more about a particular field of work before setting your major or applying for an entry level job? If so, there is a way to find out all you need to know.

The way to get the answers you need is by requesting a job shadowing experience. This unique opportunity gives you the chance to follow a professional through their daily work routine and see just what is involved in a particular job. While not every company will offer job shadowing opportunities, there are many who will be very happy to give you the chance to tag along with one of their employees for a day.

So how do you find the opportunity? Check your local employment offices, educational facilities or even make cold calls to companies you have found interesting. Correspond with the individual or company you wish to shadow by telephone, letter or email. Then when you are offered the chance for a job shadow opportunity, show up ready to learn. A little research before the day arrives can also help you to feel more comfortable in the work environment.

If you are offered a job shadow opportunity, make full use of it by asking lots of questions and networking with as many people as possible throughout your visit. If, at the end of the day, you decide the career field isn't for you, send a polite thank you letter for the experience. If you find that it is something you could pursue further, make sure to mention the experience when applying for entry level employment opportunities within that company and incorporate the things you learned during the experience into your letter and interviews.

By making full use of job shadowing opportunities, you can find an entry level job that truly suits you and build your network in the process.

For those considering their future careers, they want to be sure that the money and effort they expend on their education and training will prove to be worthwhile. After all, a doctorate in a given field is just a useless bit of paper if there are no entry level jobs available in that field when you are looking for work. Although no one can guarantee the future, there are some very good indicators available to today's college students who are trying to decide upon a career path. One of these resources is the information provided in reports distributed by the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics.

Over the years of 1994 to 2005, the department collected historical data to determine which careers are affected by business cycle fluctuations and which jobs seem to be more secure during these periods of flux. The results of the study show some interesting figures that the entry level job seeker may benefit from.

The report indicated that the least secure entry level jobs in times of business cycle fluctuations were, by and large, in building supply and furniture manufacturing areas of the job market although there were a few exceptions to this rule, most notably the industry of personnel supply services. In times of market fluctuation, entry level jobs in the manufacturing sector of these fields can make drastic moves up or down according to the markets. During these times, the use of personnel placement services also takes a distinct hit due to the large number of regular staff who are already displaced and awaiting call back to work, thus making the need for extra employees negligible.

On the inverse side, entry level jobs in the fields of work generally entered by college graduates, such as education, communications and professional services, traditionally see far less variance in job availability with the fluctuation of the various business cycles. If you want to secure your economic future, training in these career paths while in college is a wise choice.

Just like when students in school have to do research for a paper or a project, entry level job seekers should do research on the company they would like to work for before an interview. It doesn't matter how confident you are, a little knowledge and understanding of an organization can't hurt. The more prepared you are, the better the chance you will have a successful interview.

Continue reading "Do Your Research Before an Interview" »

For those just beginning their college careers, there are times ahead when you will wonder just what made you start down the path you are on rather than just starting an entry level job right out of high school. For those times when your friend who dropped out of college to start an entry level job is buying your dinner again because you are broke, this posting will help you to regain your sense of balance and resolution.

According to a 2007 survey by the United States Bureau Of Labor and Statistics, your education may be more valuable than you realize. In that years population survey, there was an unemployment rate of 7.1% among those who had not completed high school with their average weekly pay being in the neighborhood of $428. At the other end of the spectrum, those with doctoral degrees had a 1.4% unemployment rate and earned an average of $1,497 per week, over $1,000 higher than the first group.

The survey information did not stop with these numbers, however. It went on to point out that high school graduates faired substantially better than their counterparts who had dropped out of school. Earning an average weekly income of $604 with a 4.4% unemployment rate among this group. Moving slightly up from these numbers, the college drop out earned an average weekly income of $683 with a 3.8% unemployment rate.

Those who fulfilled their goals of attending college and earning degrees faired far better than those who did not. Those holding Associates degrees had only a 3% unemployment rating and earned an average of $740 per week while a Bachelors degree holders weekly earning jumped by over two hundred dollars to $987 per week with a mere 2.2% unemployment rate. Those with Masters degrees made another significant jump in salary to $1,165 per week on average and 1.8% unemployment while those with Professional degrees earned $1,427 per week with an average unemployment of 1.3% among this group.

So you see, your education is valuable. Staying with your goals until you accomplish them in entirety will insure a solid financial future when you are ready to find your own entry level job even if the fixed budget you are temporarily subsisting on seems destined to stay.

For college students interested in a career in the aerospace engineering field, there is both good and bad news on the horizon. The bad news is that the demand for aerospace engineers is expected to decline over the next few years due to competition from engineering firms in foreign countries and the decrease in dependence upon air travel. The good news is that many college students are only listening to the bad news and avoiding this field of study to the point that there may be a shortage of available aerospace engineering graduates to fill these entry level jobs when they become available. This means that today's college students will have less competition for these high paid entry level jobs after graduation and may actually find themselves being actively recruited for positions with major aerospace engineering firms to fill positions that are being vacated by retiring aerospace engineering employees.

Aerospace engineering students may expect to find jobs in their fields designing aircraft or working in the astronautic engineering field designing the vehicles used in space exploration. Additional work may be found in military applications designing missiles and other ballistic products for the defense department.

In addition to entry level jobs in the fields of aerospace engineering and astronautic engineering, the two realms which have been the classic domain of aerospace engineering students, there are anticipated entry level job openings in fields not traditionally associated with this career path including new jobs in the automotive design industry. These entry level jobs are expected to open as the demand for more aerodynamically designed vehicles rises.

When you are ready to find your entry level job in the aerospace engineering field, consider using the resources at Collegerecruiter.com to find your perfect match.

If you are considering an entry level job in aviation mechanics after graduation, the future is truly a bright one. With the decrease in American dependence on aircraft transportation after the year 2001, the field settled into a minimal growth rate but as people become more comfortable with aircraft travel and current workers reach retirement age or change occupations, the amount of entry level jobs in this field are expected to rise.

The competition for these entry level jobs will be quite sparse if present trends are an indication as the number of students enrolled in courses for aviation mechanics will be far lower than the demand for entry level employees in the field after their graduation. By the year 2012, there is expected to be a huge shortage in aircraft mechanics as many currently employed individuals will be reaching retirement age thus opening thousands of entry level jobs in the field each year. Many more currently employed aircraft mechanics will leave the field for other jobs in related fields.

In addition to the retirement and changing occupations of current airline mechanics, the entry level job market will be wide open because the majority of students with skills that are marketable in this field are choosing to go to traditional colleges and use their skills in other fields which offer better working conditions such as the computer science industry.

For those currently seeking entry level job opportunities in this field, smaller companies specializing in commuter flights and regional ticket sales are the most accessible points for finding entry level job openings. These smaller companies are experiencing a huge rate of growth in their industry and offer more entry level job openings than the larger airline companies, at present. Though the pay for entry level jobs with smaller airlines may be significantly lower, the lack of competition for these entry level jobs may be enough to compensate for this.

When ocean going fishermen go to sea, they generally have along voyage ahead of them. Why? Because the fish they seek aren't always in the same locations. They may put down the net in an area that was teeming with fish the day before and find nothing or they may go to an area that desolate a few hours before and fill their nets. To compensate for this erratic behavior in their quarry, they have developed a time tested and proven strategy of using large nets and covering a greater range of territory. The entry level job seeker can learn a lot from this strategy.

Entry level jobs are seldom going to land in your lap, just as the fish aren't going to willingly leap into the fisherman's boats. To find an entry level job requires work and perseverance as well as a sound strategy. By knowing where to look and making your range as wide as possible, you greatly improve your odds of finding the entry level position you are looking for.

One of the most over worked areas to look for entry level employment opportunities is the classifieds section of the local newspaper. Years ago, one could find a job through this source but the world has moved on since that time and there are much better ways to search for the jobs you want now. To illustrate the point, my local paper comes out once a week. This weeks copy had four advertisements for employment. Of those, two were probably legitimate and the other two were questionable. If you used this as an average week and answered the two legitimate ads for a year, you would have filed one hundred and four applications in a years time. Yes, you could have got hired from the first application but how many other people were applying for that same job? The odds aren't very good.

To improve these odds, add to your entry level job seeking equipment. Try your hand with Internet job posting boards such as the one found at CollegeRecruiter.com or with networking to meet others who have found jobs in the field you are interested in. Keep an online resume updated and posted in places where recruiters will see it. These things will all work to extend your job hunting nets over a wide range of career producing waters.

If you are majoring in accounting courses while in college, you have entered upon the study of a prestigious field which yields some very well paid entry level job opportunities. Unfortunately, these opportunities are sometimes hidden from view and the average individual won't know where to find them. If you find that entry level job and internship opportunities aren't as forthcoming as you had hoped, don't give up. By honing your networking skills and joining a few industry organizations, you can enter the workforce with an entry level accounting job.

A great way to extend your industry network and meet others who share your interests is joining the ranks of the American Accounting Association. This group is for those with an interest in accounting education and research in that field. By taking a few moments to peruse their web site, you can find a treasure trove of information about industry news, available entry level jobs and member events where you can meet contacts within the industry.

The Association of Government Accountants is an organization of a similar type with the distinction of being targeted to those working in accounting and finance related fields of government employment. On their web site, you can learn about upcoming educational events and conferences, as well as entry level job opportunities in the area where you want to work.

For those seeking to find entry level jobs and internships in the international sector, the International Federation of Accountants can network you with two and a half million accountants spanning one hundred and nineteen countries around the world. While the sheer networking power of this organization is immense, the multitude of other resources offered on the site adds even more value to this membership.

By making use of networking skills and gaining contacts already employed in the industry, you position yourself to find entry level accounting jobs after graduation.

This may seem like an elusive dream. Everyone wants to find the entry level job they have always dreamed of and, at times, it may seem you are the last person on the list who is going to ever find work. Though it seems to be a daunting task, successfully finding an entry level job that is both fulfilling and monetarily rewarding is possible. If you are a recent college graduate looking for your first entry level job, how can you experience success in finding a job that makes you happy?

The most important part of successful job hunting is finding out who you are. Take the time to think about your goals, skills and abilities and assess what things are important to you. Then use this knowledge of yourself to assist you in choosing what entry level jobs to apply for. Just like your favorite pair of jeans, when an entry level job is properly fitted to you, it just feels right. It's comfortable and can even be enjoyable but when an entry level job is beyond the range of your abilities or goes in a direction leading away from your personal objectives, it's almost as comfortable as trying to fit into the jeans you wore in kindergarten. It just isn't going to work out and you are never going to feel successful.

If you are interested in finding an entry level job that is right for you, consider exploring the opportunities found on the Entry Level Job and Internship Page at CollegeRecruiter.com to see just where your perfect fit is.

For those interested in advertising careers after college graduation, the power of creating a network of industry contacts can be very helpful when the time comes to find an entry level job in their chosen field. If you are in this group, there are several great associations you should consider membership in.

One such association is the American Advertising Federation, which provides a unique network that covers all areas of the advertising industry. This group will provide you with information on available entry level jobs and internship opportunities, as well as notices of upcoming educational opportunities and conferences in the field.

Another very large networking association is the American Marketing Association with over thirty eight thousand members that span every area of the marketing and advertising field. This full service association is a great way to find out about entry level employment opportunities and further develop your personal network of contacts within the field of advertising.

If your plan is to be involved with retail marketing, consider joining the Association Of Retail Marketing Services for a complete list of contact information for all of its members. This list can prove to be a valuable aid in building your own network and find opportunities for internships or entry level jobs in the field of retail marketing.

If you plan to be part of the trend towards furthering Internet advertising, the eBusiness Association is an excellent source of educational event information as well as current news in this field. Members of this association are taught proper application of the Internet marketing techniques to amplify their success and overall performance.

This is just four of the many advertising associations available to you as a college student interested in entry level jobs in the advertising field. There are many more excellent organizations that can be found with a small amount of research. Using these and other associations to build your network can make your job of finding entry level employment opportunities much easier when the time comes.

For those college students with the urge to be close to the action and the roar of the big birds, aerospace technology is a field of study with many lucrative entry level jobs. Entry level positions ranging from design to maintenance and everything in between are available and provide some of the highest paid entry level positions for today's college student.

The entry level job of the aircraft mechanic can be subdivided into several categories as there are many different forms of aircraft which each assume their own special skill requirements. General job requirements in this field are maintaining aircraft to prevent safety and mechanical failures in a timely manner. These positions require a thorough knowledge of the aircraft you will be working on and the ability to communicate with flight crews to understand where the problem is originating from.

A further subdivision of this entry level job classification is that of the avionics technician. This entry level job involves the repair and maintenance of navigation, radar and communications equipment onboard the aircraft. Since much of this work involves the repair of computerized systems and finely tuned instrumentation, the entry level job of the avionic technician can be very extensive, especially as more and more of the onboard avionic equipment is becoming technologically advanced.

Depending upon the type of entry level job you are seeking in this field, the amount of required education varies with a minimum FAA standard of 1,900 hours of classroom instruction or 18 moths of work experience for certification as an aircraft mechanic. Part of this work experience can be earned in particular Armed Forces assignments so students seeking a career in this field may do well to consider a tour with the Armed Forces before college, especially with the benefits to ones resume and the scholarship opportunities offered.

Are you aware that most job opportunities never get as far as the classified ads or job posting boards? As a college graduate looking for entry level job opportunities, you should know this fact and the reason behind it. Most of the entry level job opportunities will never reach publication outside of the companies where they are offered because they will already be filled by that point. Through the use of networking and word of mouth, most companies can find the entry level employees they need because their current employees are willing to supply a stream of fresh, qualified job seekers to their doorsteps.

If you want one of these entry level positions, how do you go about getting on the inside track? Quite simply, by doing your homework. If the entry level positions you want are going to the friends and acquaintances of the companies current employees, it only makes good sense that you need to get acquainted with some of these people.

Using networking sites on the Internet is a great way to do this. Places like Myspace.com offer searches based on employers or professions and these make a great place to start. If you want to work for a specific company, target your search to current and former employees of that company. If your search is more broad ranging, search by professions or the geographical area where you would like to work.

When you have located an employee of the company or a professional in your field, introduce yourself. You don't have to jump right in and say "Hey, I need a job. Help me out." Rather, you want to spend some time making friends with those individuals in your field and developing a network. Once your network is developed, then you could bring up the subject of entry level positions within their company or profession or, if you are in no big hurry, you could just wait until they volunteer the information.

By developing this network, you go into an entry level job knowing a bit about the company you propose to work for and, quite possibly, with a good referral from your new found friends. Doing your homework can pay great dividends for the entry level job seeker.

Everyone speaks about the definition of success. According to Encarta, "success" is defined as (1) achievement of intention, (2) attainment of fame, wealth, or power, and (3) something that turns out well. The idea of success runs through the minds of Gen Y as they follow their dreams to become successful in their careers. Recent college grads and students interested in internships and entry level positions must create a personal definition of success before accomplishing their goals. You can achieve personal success by focusing on your goals and giving back to your community.

Focus on Your Goals

You must have realistic goals in order to move forward in your career. Focusing on your goals could relieve the stress of wandering idle throughout college. Unfortunately, some freshmen believe college will last forever and it will not. As a recent college grad, it is your responsibility to create goal you want to accomplish. The goal has to be yours, personally. Does success mean family, financial security, or friends? Colleagues you can trust? What is success to you? Focus on your goals in order to find the best route for you to take in your college studies and career.

Give Back to Your Community

You are not alone. You can not achieve success alone (in most cases). It is fine to focus on yourself in the beginning, but remember who is involved. If you have a major achievement, others will be a part of it. Take time to thank the important people who help you achieve your goals by supporting you. The emotional support given from your community and family is the steam pushing you towards your dreams. Everyone needs to know and practice the act of public service. Without the public, a lot of important individuals would not have made it.

As a recent college graduate, you are setting out to establish your niche in the world of finances and careers armed with a stellar resume and a winning approach but is more required than just a resume when you are seeking an entry level position?

Your resume is just the beginning. While it may convey your experiences and achievements very well, unless you intend to rewrite the resume every time you apply for an entry level job, it isn't going to be very personal to the receiving contact. So let's take our entry level job hunting prowess to the next level and add a cover letter to our resumes.

This cover letter is company specific for every new prospect. Like your resume, it should be written in a professional manner and printed on good quality paper in a clear and legible font. This cover letter is a way of personally introducing yourself to the hiring management of the new prospect. The cover letter allows you to state why you feel you should be considered for a particular entry level position and what your goals regarding the company are. Presented in an upbeat and professional style, the cover letter makes your resume more inviting and personally interactive than just a dry list of dates and names that so many resumes turn into.

In addition to having sent a new prospect the resume and cover letter, have a list of your references, both personal and business, on hand for the interview. Bring along a professional looking briefcase or binder with this information, a copy of your resume for reference and copies of any verified credentials or certifications you may have.

By going beyond writing a resume when looking for entry level employment opportunities, you are taking the next step towards becoming successful in your career.

Something that few college students consider when deciding upon their careers is the area where they wish to live. Unfortunately, this lapse in judgement may end up costing them thousands of dollars in the future. Why? Because your geographical location affects your salary and your likelihood of finding entry level jobs.

According the a U.S. Bureau of Labor and Standards report from the fourth quarter of 2006, the average American worker brought home a weekly wage of $861 with a few states offering an average wage that was significantly higher than this national average and many that were far below the national average weekly wage. If you are looking for entry level jobs, it would be wise to consider your geographical location to determine if your education is being put to its best use for your financial health.

In this 2006 report, the highest average weekly wage was found in the District of Columbia with an average of $1,424 per week. The runner up, New York, was $320 lower with a weekly average wage $1,104 and the state of Connecticut made a close third at $1,101 per week. It is easy to see from this comparison that geographical location made a huge difference in the local potential for profit.

To further emphasize the point, lets compare these wages with the average weekly wage of Montana, who ranked fiftieth in the average weekly wage ratings in 2006. the average employee in Montana was drawing a weekly salary of a mere $625. That is almost $800 dollars less than the same employee would draw in the District of Columbia.

By making these comparisons, it is easy to see that where you choose to live will have a massive impact upon your financial welfare. If you find that your location isn't making the grade, you might consider relocating with the help of the entry level job search at CollegeRecruiter.com.

There used to be an old joke about lawyers... Q. What's the difference between a snake and a lawyer? A. Some people like snakes. If you differ in this opinion and want to change the way people feel about this profession by becoming a lawyer, what should you expect?

The practice of law is actually a very rigorous job. Most lawyers who are employed in full time practice work a minimum of fifty hours a week and some work much longer hours. The position requires a high degree of dedication as well as a strict sense of legal ethics. There is a high amount of competition for entry level jobs in the practice of law and those with higher scores in college and law school tend to get the first call for these jobs so flexibility in your geographical placement is a requirement if you seek to find an entry level job as a lawyer. The job is well paid but this is to offset the cost of the lawyers education which involves a minimum of four years in college, three years in law school and passing a state bar exam in most states. For the lawyer who does find an entry level position there is plenty of work as the legal system has found a niche in nearly every part of the American way of life.

Due to the highly competitive nature of the legal job market, may law students find themselves accepting jobs outside of their field of study or for which they are overqualified and eventually resort to private practice. This trend has developed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, to the point that twenty seven percent of lawyers are self employed as partners in law firms or in private practice.

For college students from the state of Colorado or those seeking to migrate there, knowing where to look for entry level jobs is of great importance. Some statistical information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics can shed some important light on where your chances of finding entry level work in this beautiful state might lie. According to the December 2006 reports, the state of Colorado had 2,283,300 workers who brought in an average weekly wage of $877, which was a full $16 higher than the average U.S. weekly wage at the time. The four counties with the highest employment rate were Denver, Arapahoe, El Paso and Jefferson counties. In the county of Denver, there were 439,700 employed workers with an average weekly income of $1,069 which was both the highest employment rate and the highest average wage for the state of Colorado in the fourth quarter of 2006.

An interesting fact is that, while Denver county was the highest ranked county in the state for both employment rate and weekly wages, Arapahoe county was the only other county in the top four employment rated counties to also be in the top four of the weekly wage status. The other two counties with the top weekly wage distinction were Boulder and Douglas counties, with Boulder being the second ranked and Douglas coming in fourth.

For those seeking to find entry level work opportunities in the state of Colorado, the six counties of Denver, Boulder, Arapahoe, Douglas, Jefferson an El Paso, all provide excellent opportunities for finding entry level jobs and high paid careers in a community that is thriving and growing continuously.

Forced vasectomies, salvation from a Beggarmaster and a government that changes the law to legitimize their corruption. These are but a few of the adventures in the intricate novel called "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry. The story takes place in Mumbai, India around 1975. The main characters undergo such an oppressive struggle to survive it's almost unbearable to read. But the book is written so well that it's worth the heartache. Though it's been thirteen years since the book was published, it supplies an interesting insight to a current controversy: outsourcing. The United States, Europe and Japan outsource favorable work to India and save big bucks. And technology is only improving the ease of outsourcing, degenerating American jobs. Check out the facts on "Business Process Outsourcing in India" on Wikpedia. The numbers are staggering. And I could understand the temptation to fathom the outsourced workers as the enemy. Before you do, read the book, "A Fine Balance" and get a taste of what life was like in the city that has taken our jobs.

My favorite character in the book was Ishvar. He is a tailor whose father was a leather curer. If you are not familiar with the Caste System in India, it is a BIG DEAL to change your occupation. Moving up in life when you are supposed to be lower than dirt is a hard pill to swallow. When Ishvar's father decides his sons will learn a different trade to have a chance at a better life, his family is ostracized. Life is so mean to them, you really wish they would just win the Lotto and be done with it. The injustices they endure could only be seen as a million dollar lawsuit in the United States. As I read the book, I asked people who have traveled to India if it was indeed like the book's description. To which, I was sadly confirmed that yes, it is. Not to say this country doesn't have it's share of people overcoming great odds to succeed but they are not exactly replacing educated workers in a different country by the hundreds of thousands now, are they?

Business' loyalty is to profit. A business in a country that thrives on capitalism is faithful to the consumer. Residing in the country that consumes the product is no guarantee that the company will employ the consumer. Short of saying it's our own fault, we have to look at the real problem. The consumer wants cheap flip-flops and children's clothing at Walmart, it will be made in China. The consumer wants 24-Hour assistance to set up a home printer, the calls will be answered in India. We all have to make sacrifices. We all have to make a living. It's not the workers; it's the consumer.

For the student seeking to begin the college career, the choice of schools is decided by a lot of factors. Considerations in regards to cost of tuition, living expenses and distance from home all play a part in deciding where most of us will attend college. Additional considerations are made by the courses offered at a specific school or by the obligations the student may already have. With all these choices, it is easy to see that the college you choose today may have a very great effect on where you end up tomorrow.

In years past, many parents were adamant that their children went away to college as it was a bit prestigious to say "I have a son in Harvard" or "My daughter is attending classes at the University of Missouri" but the social and financial implications of these long distance college careers have had an impact that has caused some people to shy away from the traditional view. Today, the local vocational college or tech school is often favored over their more costly campus brethren. That being said, is there any reason why a campus college education would be any more beneficial to the entry level job seeker than that of the technical school educated individual? Or is there anything that would make the local school a better choice for those seeking to get started on entry level careers?

The answer itself is not simple. While campus colleges do offer certain benefits that the small technical schools cannot, there are things these smaller schools offer that campus life cannot provide. Campus colleges tend to have well known names with lots of funding for equipment and labs. Smaller colleges may lack in these areas but make up for the loss with the promise of smaller class sizes and lowered tuition costs. In short, planning which college you will attend is just as important as what classes you want to go to. Deciding where you want your career to take you and what your first entry level job goals are will help you in deciding if you really need the name of a larger school or if the hometown college will meet your needs.

College students today are feeling the crushing blow of financial decisions. They understand all too well that student expenses add up very quickly and calling your folks for a loan isn't always an option. A misadventure into the mall or an added expense from car repairs can lead to some very difficult times in the dorms. If you find that you are struggling to survive financially while attending your college classes, what can you do?

Don't get excited. I am not suggesting a job at the local hamburger joint. What I am suggesting is an entry level job in the field of writing. If you have even basic skills in written English, the chances of finding entry level work are very good. For those with more advanced skills, a personal computer and an Internet connection, the entry level writing job is an ideal way to make ends meet.

If you have read this far, you likely want to know just how this is possible. The process is actually quite simple. Large companies and even individuals are recognizing the need for an Internet presence today but they also recognize that their own skills for writing the necessary web content may be lacking or they may just not have time to write sufficient quantities of new content. By checking listings on places such as CollegeRecruiter.com's Entry level job board, you can find entry level jobs in the writing field as well as hundreds of other fields. For those with a freelancers soul, places such as rentacoder.com offer the opportunity to bid on writing work as well as technical work such as programming and graphic arts.

By approaching the field of writing with an open mind, being willing to research and write on a variety of subjects and keeping your prices competitive, you can land entry level jobs in the writing market that can quickly produce the extra money you need. By producing quality work in a timely manner at a good price, your reputation as a writer will expand quickly. With just one long term contract, it is possible to easily make an extra five thousand dollars a year.

Job seekers everywhere tend to fret about interviews. However, when the occasional phone interview comes up, preparation is throwng against the wall. Keep in the mind, that a phone interview is a good thing. Instead of becoming confused about the process, just keep in mind that the employer wants to know a little bit more about you. They want to put a voice to your resume. You have to nail this part of the interview process to get your foot in the door.
Treat the phone interview the same as you would a real interview. Keep in mind that you will have more ammunition for the face to face interview as well. Most of the time, the employer will still call you to schedule a future phone interview, so use this time to research the company, and re-research the position you applied for.
As long as you take the interview seriously and stay composed, you will do fine. Then you get to worry about the face to face!

For those with a desire to find an entry level engineering job or internship, few places offer the varied resources available at CollegeRecruiter.com. Designed around the needs of new job seekers and college students, the resources are cleverly outlined in a way that makes getting advice on your job search and locating entry level engineering jobs quite easy.

The blog's section of CollegeRecruiter.com offers eight separate channels of advice and tips on job searching, internships and various other points that are crucial knowledge when planning the path to a successful career.

The articles section, with it's well written and informative pieces on a variety of useful subjects for new job hunters and seasoned veterans alike, will offer educational points and true life anecdotes that can prove very useful in finding entry level engineering jobs and turning them into successful and rewarding careers in the engineering field.

In addition to the resources already mentioned, there are entry level engineering job and internship location tools found at CollegeRecruiter.com in the form of the Entry Level and Internship Job Search Page, which offers advanced search capabilities including a job index, search by channel and search by employer links. With multiple methods of conducting searches, you can customize your search experience to your own personal preferences and needs to make finding the entry level engineering job that meets your needs perfectly a very simple process.

By making use of the various tools and resources located on CollegeRecruiter.com, you can find the perfect entry level job to suit your needs and set your career's future out on solid footing.

When you are seeking to find an entry level accounting job or internship, few places offer the resources available at CollegeRecruiter.com. Designed with the new job seeker in mind, the resources are cleverly outlined in a way that makes getting advice and locating the entry level accounting jobs quite easy.

The blog's section of CollegeRecruiter.com offers eight separate channels of advice and tips on job searching, internships and various other points that are crucial knowledge when planning the path to a successful career.

The articles section, with it's well written and informative pieces on a variety of useful subjects for new job hunters and seasoned veterans alike, will offer educational points and true life anecdotes that can prove very useful in finding entry level accounting jobs and turning them into successful and rewarding careers.

In addition to these resources, there are entry level accounting job and internship location tools found at CollegeRecruiter.com in the form of the Entry Level and Internship Job Search Page, which offers advanced search capabilities including a job index, search by channel and search by employer links. With this powerful search tool, finding the entry level accounting job that meets your needs perfectly can be very simple.

You are looking for the best entry level accounting job you can find and CollegeRecruiter.com want to help. With CollegeRecruiter.com, you can be ready to face the challenges of the corporate world and find the entry level accounting job or internship you want.

When you are seeking to find an entry level job or internship, few places offer the vast quantities of information and search tools as the Internet. By putting these resources to good use, you can find your foothold on the corporate ladder and begin working towards a successful career.

The Internet has created a wealth of information and many people are posting their knowledge in small easy to read articles such as the one you are reading now. Known as blog's, they are a quick and efficient way to disperse information or tips and thus lend themselves well to sharing experiences. There are many places to find career related blog's around the Internet, such as CollegeRecruiter.com which offers eight separate channels of advice and tips on job searching, internships and various other career conscious points.

There are also powerful entry level job and internship location tools found on the pages of the Internet such as the Entry Level and Internship Job Search Page of CollegeRecruiter.com, which offers advanced search capabilities including a job index, search by channel and search by employer links. Internship job posting boards are also abundant and offer internship opportunities in a variety of career fields.

Within a few moments of logging on to the Internet, one can generally find hundreds of opportunities for entry level jobs or internships within their chosen field and with the ease of access to these powerful tools, the search for a foothold on the career building ladder in the form of an entry level job or internship has become much easier.

When you are seeking to find an entry level job or internship, few places offer the functionality of CollegeRecruiter.com. Designed with the college student in mind, the resources are cleverly outlined in a way that makes getting advice and locating the entry level job or internship in your field very simple.

The blog's section of CollegeRecruiter.com offers eight separate channels of advice and tips on job searching, internships and various other points that are crucial to the college student who is preparing to start out on their chosen path to a career.

There is also an articles section with well written and informative pieces on subjects that will help new job hunters and seasoned veterans in finding entry level jobs and turning them into successful and rewarding careers.

In addition to these resources, there are also powerful entry level job and internship location tools found at CollegeRecruiter.com in the form of the Entry Level and Internship Job Search Page, which offers advanced search capabilities including a job index, search by channel and search by employer links, and the Internship Job Postings, which include many notable internship opportunities in a variety of career fields.

By availing yourself of these resources and tools, you can go from being a college student wondering what happens next to being a college student in charge of your corporate climb. With CollegeRecruiter.com, you can be ready to face the challenges of the corporate world and find the entry level job or internship and the successful career you want.

Interviewing may be the scariest part of a job search. The professionals will always say to practice what you are going to talk about before you go in, but any red blooded American can tell you this is not enough.

Any time you apply for a job, you should always research the company. The same principle applies for interviews. Before you go in, check out the website, read some information and take notes. Always bring a pen and paper, preferably a high quality note pad. Interviews are like auditions, you have to sell yourself, but you have to be legit. So know the company, and always ask questions.

Do not be afraid or intimidated. Remember that the company has to sell themselves to you as well. So take confidence in knowing that they brought you in because they think you are good enough.

Interviews can be unpredictable and go very unexpectedly. So, you have to do the best to control the things you can. Be calm and make sure you dress is up to code. Be polite and smile, introducing yourself to everyone you meet.

Just remember to be prepared. Researching may be the biggest part of nailing that interview. But don't neglect researching yourself. Be ready to answer any questions about your resume or your experience. You will do just fine!

Picture yourself as a President and CEO of a prestigious law firm. All of your employees are well mannered, neatly dressed, and smiling, showing you, that they are happy to work for their employer. Things are going great but you still need someone to fill that position as an Administrative Assistant. Then it hits you, you just remembered today you scheduled an interview for that position. You go to your office to prepare your desk and a list of questions

Your secretary, Mrs. Brown, lets you know your ten o'clock appointment has arrived. When you look up at the clock, you realized they were five minutes late. You tell Mrs. Brown to send the interviewee in. In the door, walks a gentleman who is dressed in what seems to be casual clothing. The image that your office requires is business professional and neatly groomed. The interviewee has on cargo pants that have not been ironed, a white dress shirt that has a small stain, which looks like it could have been from syrup or coffee, and a tie that is way too small for anyone to wear.

The appearance of clothing can have an affect on what a person thinks about you. If you hired him, your clients may not feel comfortable with letting the firm handle their serious and delicate case. His un-groomed appearance has made you feel like he did not take the position serious. His hair was not combed and cut to an appropriate length, he wore earrings in both ears, and his facial hair appeared to be a five o'clock shadow. Immediately, to yourself you should be thinking this is not someone you want to hire.

It is wrong to judge a book by its cover but no one really follows that rule. When you go into an interview, you want to dress the part. Dressing appropriate lets the employer know that you are serious about the position. Going into a law firm with cargos and a polo shirt is okay if you are one of the clients but an employee should dress business professional to make the client feel comfortable that their case is in the right hands. Many people know that dressing up for an interview is essential but they don't know what to wear.

For men and women clothing is somewhat similar. Pressed suits are the best choice because the pieces match each other. It makes it simple for you to put your attire together because you don't have to find pants and a jacket that match or compliment each other. Another thing to remember about suits is to never wear patterns or bright colors. Basic colors like black, dark blue or even brown look more professional. Also, if you are a woman, it's even more impressive to wear a skirt suit, of course one inch below the knee. For simple grooming tips, men should appear to be clean shaven, no earrings, hair cut and combed, should not wear excessive amount of cologne, and no sight of tattoos. Women should not wear heavy amounts of jewelry or perfume, pantyhose should not have runs, and hair should be well combed and brushed.

If your hair is past the shoulders, it is preferred that it is pulled back into a neat ponytail to give a more professional look. Another key to both women and men's attire is to wear a watch and arrive 10 minutes early to let the interviewer know that you are aware their time is valuable. In case you will be late due to an emergency such as at outfit malfunction, traffic, or car trouble call the employer. Let them know how late you will be and ask if they would like to reschedule the interview. For the reason that most employers are conducting 10 or more interviews per day and may not be able to delay the other interviewees. Their time and your time is valuable, don't waste it by not dressing the part and showing up promptly.

As one of the fastest growing industries today, advertising and public relations fields have several opportunities for entry-level work.You may not realize it, but most large companies have a place for advertising and public relations careers. The key is to research companies you have an interest in and what type of work you would like to do in your entry-level job.

Here are some ideas for entry-level jobs in these fields:

Assistant Media Buyer: This position assists in buying media and planning when to advertise.

Assistant Account Executive: Assist the account executive by developing strategies, pulling research reports, and coordinating customers. This position will give you the opportunity to gain experience in the industry and knowledge about the account executive position (a role you may one day be in).

Public Relations Specialist: Maintain files about company activities, organize press conferences and events, and possibly write press releases.

Advancement in public relations can move quickly if you work hard and build your portfolio. You may have to relocate to achieve higher jobs because there is less need for them, but you can make a pretty good salary by only moving up a few positions. Learn as much as you can during your entry-level job so that your employer sees you are making progress. Also, meet as many people as you can, because your contacts can become important for future job opportunities. Not only will this first job give you the opportunity to work in an actual advertising or public relations setting, but you will also be able to interact with the media, build your writing skills, and expand your creativity.

While graduation may seem like the greatest thing for college students, the real world poses a looming threat. Many college grads leave college with the mindset that they will find a great job right away and make a decent amount of money. However, especially with the economy the way it is, the job market is tight.
So, what is a college grad to do? There are plenty of job sites out there to assist recent graduates with their job searches. However, as a job seeker, you must take caution into your own hands.
For as many good jobs as there are out there, you have to pass over lots of bad jobs. You will get offers and calls from shady sales men of all kinds. You may say that you need a job. But be cautious. Many organizations exist to take advantage of recent grads and their naivete toward the world.
The jobs will post on a site saying they need an entry level marketing associate. But in reality,they are looking for someone to go door to door to sell their 'product'.
The best advice one can get is to research. Be an expert about your field and research. When you get a call from a company, look them up online. Search them on google. There are a number of job boards such as jobvent.com, or other scam alert websites. You can find the truth before you have to find it out the hard way.
Also, be weary of anything involving working at home, or accepting payment by giving someone your credit card, social security, or bank numbers.
The key is research. This will help you land the right job, not just something to do in exchange for money.

The world today is turning into a high speed jumble of words. Unfortunatley, people left and right are getting stuck in the moment, and many skip school in favor of an early career. For some, the decision turns out well. For the vast many, they hit a wall where their lack of education is stopping them. So what is one to do?
The working world is turning 40 hrs/ a week into a wished vacation, and school is turning more into a full time job itself. The prospect of somebody going to school full time and working full time is non existent.
Luckily, the new century has brought us online colleges. While many of these online colleges are more of a degree mill than anything, some truly offer potential students the opportunity to further their education while still providing for their family. Online school lets the student attend their classes from home and submit all their assignments online.
Students must be ware of the price of the programs and what they offer. Always do a full amount of research on a school and be cautious which ones you give your phone number (CEC schools will hound you 3 times a day until you tell each school you do not wish to be contacted anymore).
The idea of online education is a blessing, but all the aspects are yet to be ironed out, which leaves many students without degrees and in debt. So be careful.

School is over and it is time to grow up. If only it were that easy. Each year thousands of kids take the leap into becoming adults. Fortunately, many students have the help of internships and quality career service departments. Others are left to fend for themselves.
The search for that first job is a long, strenuous, and unrewarding journey. There are so many rejections and even worse, so many employers who just don't think enough of you to formally reject you.
So, where is one to start? Most career sites are not very helpful. It costs an employer a lot of money to post a want ad on careerbuilder.com. An easy tip is to look directly on employer's websites. Use search engines to your advantage and find companies located near you. Look at their job openings (which are posted on just about every website, many near the bottom).
Another valuable tip is to not look down on internships. They may seem meaningless, but many entry level jobs are looking for a candidate with 2 or more years of experience. It may not seem fair, but internships help level the playing field. Stay positive and work at it. Keep in mind that something will come up. It may take time, or you may get lucky right off the bat.

The truth is most job seekers use the Internet the same way; by putting all of their eggs into the online job basket. Do what they do and you might as well scatter your resume to he wind. As popular online financial site bankrate.com says,

"Job seeking isn't just about finding the ads. Rather, a job search is about getting hired for meaningful, rewarding work, preferably for years at a time. That means finding the right position with the right company at the right time and then doing the right things to get noticed."

So, here's what you can do to set yourself apart from the crowd.

  1. Instead of the be-all and end-all, use the Internet as a research tool. First, find the companies you think are the best fit for you and eliminate the rest of the clutter; becoming a much more efficient job seeker. Secondly, Go online to research prospective employers; learn about their company and see if you can make connections with the people who are involved in hiring (or someone who can sing your praises to the person doing the hiring).
  2. Look beyond the big job boards. While sites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com can boast thousands of job listings, they can also boast tens of thousands of people vying for those jobs - the odds of landing one would be like winning the lottery. Instead, turn to job aggregators such as Indeed and Jobster or regional job sites -- such as those belonging to jobsintheus.com or those in the JobThread widget to your right -- and niche job sites which target just one industry or profession.
  3. Lastly, have the Internet search for you. If your initial job search comes up short, some sites allow you to sign up for a job agent or subscribe to an RSS feed, then outline what sort of job you're looking for and receive automatic alerts when a job is posted which meets your criteria.

Whatever route you take, just remember that simply posting a resume online with the big job sites won't land you a job; heck it probably won't even result in a phone call. Instead, remember that the best thing you can do is to separate yourself from the herd and be creative in your job search. Good luck!

By: Luke Livingston, a recent college graduate and the author of www.realworldreally.com - Real World advice for the recent & soon-to-be college graduate

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching entry-level jobs and other career opportunities.

Here are a few tips for searching for an internship:

When it comes to searching for one, look for one that relates to what you want to do in the near future. Majors are sometimes broad, and internships can help you narrow down career choices.

Take an inventory of your skills that you have, the ones that are your favorite, and ones you would like to use on a regular basis, and use those tools as a guide to look for internships.

Think of working environments you like. Do you prefer calm, stable working environments, or hectic, unpredictable yet exciting working environments?

Location, location, location. If it is a summer internship, will you have to relocate for the summer to work there? Is housing available? Will you have to pay for housing and other expenses? Will you have transportation? If it is during the semester and you will be in school as well, think of your schedule and try your best not to overload yourself. If you are going to be working 15-20 hours a week, factor that into consideration when searching for an internship. Also consider distance if you will be going to an internship straight from class. You don't want to take 2-3 classes in one day, then head to an internship location that is more than 45 minutes away without giving yourself enough time to catch your breath!

Have multiple copies of your updated resume, look at them several times before posting them or turning them in. Make sure they are relevant and tailored to each position.

Do your homework! Research the companies you are considering, know everything there is to know about them, and what your role would look like.

Once you get a call and an interview...GOOD LUCK!

If your job search hasn't produced any results, it may be because your resume blends in with all the others. So what are some simple things you can do to give your resume a much needed boost? Broaden your experience and expand your skill base.

First, most office jobs require a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access. Your resume must communicate this. If you are at all unsure how to navagate these programs, it is easy and free to learn at http://office.microsoft.com. Just select the program you want to learn under the 'products' tab, go to 'help and how to,' and access free demos.

Next, expand your internet skills. If you are unsure how to create a website, Kaplan and other universities offer internet courses for certification in internet and web page development. If you are already knowledgeable of these areas, create a professional website advertising yourself. This skill will impress employers in all fields.

Finally, find extra work that will add to your resume. If you are having trouble finding the job you want, try working for a non-profit organization. Many offer paid internships and temporary jobs. These jobs communicate goodwill and drive to employers while earning you income. A friend of mine had been job-hunting for over nine months when she took on a recruiter. He helped her find a temporary position with the Breast Cancer Foundation, and almost immediately upon completion she found a job with Motorola in her field.

These steps take minimal effort yet will give your resume that something extra needed to secure an interview with your employer of choice.


Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Finding great websites for African-American college students can be a hard task if you don’t know where to go to find the best information. Check out these links below to gain access to some of the web’s best sites for Black college students.

Black Excel: The College Help Link is an excellent source for African-American students to gain access to scholarships, grants, and more.

Continue reading "Best Sites for Black College Students" »

One university professor up in Washington requires students in her environmental history course to write an original article of a known source, or at least a greatly revised version of the existing one. No big paper is due at the end of the semester; this is probably to keep her students active throughout the semester. The professor became inspired when preparing teaching materials for class and thought maybe her students could fill in the missing information from her research of this source.

We all need to be careful of the sources we use by providing accurate information (to the best of our knowledge) from reliable sources. College students and all students doing research for papers might want to be more particular about what resources are available to them. The college professor says the creation of the Web has caused the quality of sources used by students to diminish.

Continue reading "Rewriting the Source" »

Tips to Secure the Job of Your Dreams
Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

For college seniors entering the job market, competition is going to be tough and quite competitive. Several times a year colleges hold graduations flooding the job market with more competition for the people already looking for work.

Continue reading "College Seniors Entering the Job Market" »

I am a bit of a late starter in terms of the proactive job search. I have been doing a lot of writing, both freelance and for a potential novel, and have yet to have the real, steady 9 to 5 job. This spring I applied to some residential education jobs at local colleges in an effort to use some of my college experience to land a "real" job and unfortunately this idea did not work out. Although I had a couple successful interviews and felt sure about the position and my adequacy for it.

It is a real bummer to really try for something and not get it but that is an essential part of the job search especially for entry-level positions. That is why career sites often stress to keep your job search active while you wait to hear about a position because as much as it may seem like a perfect match, you might not get the job and you don't want to have wasted time just waiting for it to work out. If I have learned anything about job searching this year, it has been that it is a job to be actively looking for the job. It takes time, energy and much more commitment than you might believe.

Of course it is disappointing to not get the job you wanted but it is more important to take some lessons from that job search to try and get a feel of what you did right and what you may want to change for your next interview or resume that you send out. Also, it is important to keep in mind that you may have done everything right and perhaps were an excellent candidate for the job but there were other factors that changed in the company and the position may not have been available to external candidates. In short, the best tool for a successful job search is perseverance.

Second Life is a unique concept that intrigues me. On one hand I'd really like to create an identity and begin my new life doing whatever I feel like doing. It would be an opportunity for me to start all over and become something or someone that I might not have the chance to become in my real life. On the other hand, I am one of those "cease the day" kinds of people. I don't spend a lot of time looking back and regretting what I didn't do. I spend my time looking forward, setting goals for the future. This has given me lots of opportunities in this life to be the person I want to be. I don't necessarily feel like I need a make believe life to fulfill my desire to be someone. I'm already someone and I want to use the time that I have in my real life doing whatever I feel like doing. Therefore, for me Second Life virtual career fairs will not become something that I will participate in because I don't have an identity created there. However, Second Life is like any other unique operation out there. There will be diehards who will gravitate to it and use it to the full potential including participating in virtual career fairs. To them I say, great job! I commend you for giving it your all and I hope for your sake that it is a successful use of your time!

Second Life is a unique concept that intrigues me.

-- Article by Innovative Recruiting. This article is courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com , a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

A view of the economy can help you make realistic decisions regarding entry level salary negotiations.

Our economic climate has shifted up and down since 2000. We are stuck in a maze when it comes to finding a stable or high paying entry level position. Designated cities such as New York, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, and others keep our minds boggled in traveling distances to succeed. Recent college graduates should pick up a copy of Wall Street Journal just to keep abreast of the latest business news. Every industry can have an idea of what to expect as they move from student to career professional. In my previous post, Student Money Skills: Break Your Spending Habits Before Graduation, I touched on the aspect of residual income for graduates.

Continue reading "Keep Up With The Changing Economy..." »

What's all the fuss about search engine marketing? Recent college graduates are missing out on a gold mine. It's crazy, but you can search any name online and find it today. Everyone is online and businesses are adding entry level positions for people who love search engine marketing.

You can not deny the potential waiting for college grads in entry level SEM positions. Search engine marketing firms want to hire fresh candidates with an idea of what SEM used to be to what it is today. The industry's standards change almost instantly, but it provides solid ground for those who understand the basics.

Look at the numbers:

Search engine marketing is a booming industry - $5.75 billion in 2005.

Now, it's 2007 and more brick-and-mortar companies are online. It is essential for survival in today's technologically advanced economy. You can jump into the wave of the future if you want a great entry level position in the SEM industry.

Right now, an average entry level SEM position pays $30,000 or minimum $10 an hour. It is a pretty good break for those of us who love to work on our computers and search engines. You know what the best part is? You can learn SEM through self-taught lessons, industry seminars, and other curriculums designed by the search engines. Entry level jobs should provide the training upfront - it can go either way with SEM.

I love it. Big search engine marketing firms provide ongoing training and pay for their SEMs to attend seminars. I like this idea. In two years, you can earn more money in your entry level position. You may even earn the title of 'specialist' after you conduct successful campaigns with documented results. This industry has an array of opportunity for fast learners who stride into the future. You can get a jumpstart your career by visiting search engine marketing websites. You can find information regarding candidate requirements including certifications, experience, and salary ranges.

This industry has changed the way of business. You can change the direction of your entry level job search by using search engine marketing.

Intro SEM Project for Entry Level Job Seekers:

-Start a blog for a hobby or passion. (e.g. business, music, sports)
-Research the keywords for your industry regarding that passion. (business news, new music)
-Read recent news about changes for a company or companies you are interested in working for. (e.g. Sony, Nike)
-Post two to three entries a week.
-Submit your blog to search engines.
-Connect with other bloggers.

Seems easy, right? Dive into this project if you are not online yet. Be sure to remain open-minded if others begin to comment on your blog. Interaction develops rapport with your readers. If they feel a comment can help you, embrace it. Remember to utilize the bio box of your blogs and articles. If someone loves your work, you may find them linking to your blog to show their readers. Someone will read it and someone could have a job waiting for you in SEM because of your diligence in building a brand through search engine marketing.

Have fun with your first SEM project.

When searching for jobs after college, it seems logical to start off in an entry- level job in almost any field. After being in school for so long where you have acquired the educational bones needed to succeed in life you may feel that you are complete and ready to work but, you will most likely lack the work experience that will flesh out what you have learned. Hopefully when you graduate you have some idea of the type of dream job that you will want to work one day.

It is very rare to graduate and right away get your dream job. And as far as I know, it is very unlikely to graduate and know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. Some people will choose to head directly into the work force and grab an entry-level job that they see. It will give them needed experience and certainly help to pay back loans or rent. However, you can have an entry-level job and still be heading towards a career that you would like to have.

Continue reading "Entry Levels jobs and your dreams " »

If you use a search engine to do look for entry level writing jobs, you will ultimately be flooded with results that promise little work, flexible hours, and high pay all at the your home. These job offers may seem to be like hitting the jackpot. Imagine being able to do all your work in pajamas while still having time to hang out with your friends and sleep late. It should sound somewhat like a fantasy because it most likely will be one. Some of these so-called job offers for entry-level writers are scams. They require you to pay a subscription fee for using their database of real job offers.

It is often very hard to determine if these writing jobs are fraudulent. I would suggest doing a search on Google or yahoo to see if anyone has posted on other websites about scams. Some things to consider if you want to try to work with a website for job offers- some will have a trial period that you should take advantage of before shelling out a lot of money for the subscription. Also, think about how much money they are asking for and what they tell you that you will get for it. It is pretty unrealistic for them to promise you automatic jobs just for signing up, but they should be able to provide lots of job postings that are current and updated frequently. The website www.writing-world.com has a lot of resources that highlight what to look for in a possible scam and it also had some reference websites to spot scams that have been reported. Internet offers may be a risk that you would have to consider if it was right for you to pursue this way of a writing job or maybe to search for different entry level writing jobs.

It should go without saying that the internet can be a valuable tool in job searching nowadays. Not only can job openings themselves be found and applied for online, but research into the position and the company that would have been difficult and time-consuming decades ago can now be done easily, comfortably and quickly. I personally used quite a few entry level job sites, but the one I used the most-and the one that told me about the job I have now-is careerlink.com.

I don’t know if the site is national or just for Nebraska, but careerlink.com allows seekers to look for jobs by area, profession, company or by any combination thereof. The nice thing about local job sites as opposed to most national job search engines is that this will allow you to narrow your search to a specific part of the state, rather than needlessly looking through every job in the state, which can be tedious and also frustrating if the jobs you want keeps popping up in the wrong city or town. Careerlink has gone seen some improvements since I last needed it. A major problem I used to have arose while trying to find jobs by company. Rather than just listing them off in convenient text form like they are now, companies were posted by their logos. As you can imagine, this took a long time to load on slower connections. On top of that, there was only a handful listed on each page with no ability to go to a specific page. Not that going to a particular page would have been particularly useful, as the companies were also listed in random order. The whole feature was thus rendered virtually useless. Out of all the changes, the alphabetical listing of companies is by far the best. Take advantage of that and check out this entry level job site today..

As surprising as it is, the search engine industry has taken a huge chunk out of the internet related jobs for stay-at-home or techie people like me. We are entering into a new world of opportunities and availabilities for people who want to work in emerging markets. For instance, search engine optimization positions include copywriting, pay-per-click managers, campaign managers, and etc. The list goes on and on, but are you interested in the opportunities out there for you?

Continue reading "Emerging Job Markets: Search Engine Optimization Positions" »

Are you tired of working the 9 to 5 in an office? Well, get to work! Online jobs are running through the roof and it is time that you found one just for you. I'll give you a hint or two of how to get exactly what you're looking for....

Continue reading "Best Practices for Online Job Searches" »

Are you interested in pursuing an entry level sales position after graduation? The ability to sell is a science and an art within its own right. Some entry level sales positions require an additional talents - research skills and patience. With the right tools and preparation, you will move to a manager position in no time.

Continue reading "Entry Level Sales Positions: Finding A Niche" »

Whew, it has been a long time since I posted. It is amazing how fast time goes by when you are not really doing anything. I heard back from a temp agency for a law office position and said I would take it, even though I was having regrets about even signing up to temp- given my dad’s offer to pay my way and let me write. But as fate would have it the law offer fell through- they decided they didn’t need a temp.

Continue reading "update" »

Music is so intertwined with emotions, mood and well-being, that it makes sense that a musical therapist would need to be interested in not only music, but in helping people with these challenges as well. Typical musical therapists work in the school systems, hospitals, and substance abuse facilities, to name a few.

Someone interested in music therapy does need to have a bachelor’s degree but there are a variety of degree programs available. You can get a degree in music therapy or a joint degree in education, or even a master’s degree in music therapy. It is a legitimate health related field and the function of music therapists is to improve the wellness of patients.

This seems to be an interesting way to put your musical talents to use in a unique way and if you are one of those musically gifted persons, maybe you should start searching for entry-level music therapy jobs as well.

As a music therapist you will not actually teach music, although you do need to have a degree in music. It is more about the patient and teaching them to incorporate music into their own lives as part of their treatment process.

As for job opportunities, I recommend looking into the Association of Professional Music Therapists and see what you can find. There are also a bunch of resources listed below as well. So have fun, learn new things and find that entry-level job!!

Resources:
http://healthcare.monster.com/therapy/articles/music/
http://www.music.ecu.edu/depts/therapy/mtinfo.htm
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile713/
http://hometown.aol.com/kathysl/jobs.html
http://www.musictherapy.org/requirements.html
Association of Professional Music Therapists:
http://www.apmt.org/

The skills that those with an economics degree typically have under their belt are analytical skills, writing skills and the ability to notice and track trends and patterns. These fields are useful in a variety of career paths and make one with an economics degree a versatile job candidate. In your search for entry-level job opportunities you can rest assured that the possibilities are quite diverse with someone who has an economics degree.

Students with economics degrees can find work in banking, investment, political consulting, the government, nonprofit organizations even teaching. Those who decide to take a more business oriented career path with their entry-level job search path will stand to make more money than those who decided to work in the government, accounting or in nonprofit work.

You are highly coveted people and will be able to enter into many job fields. The question should not be: what can I do with an economics degree? It should be: what can’t I do with it? I assure you, that there’s not much! So have fun, learn new things and find that entry-level job!!

Resources:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos055.htm
http://economics.gmu.edu/undergrad/uwhat.html
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/social-science/economics-major.htm
http://ball.econ.vt.edu/Careers/KindsJobs.HTML

A resume objective is useful to include in any accounting entry-level resume. To create a functional resume objective you have to first know what the employer is looking for and why they need you to perform that task.

As an entry-level accounting job seeker you can highlight how your “excellent analytical and technical skills can help to improve the company’s profitability.” (This example was taken from alec.co.uk. The link is also provided below and has other information and examples for all you entry-level accounting seekers who need resume help!) The same site cautions that resume objectives can be limiting because they are specific to the job in question, so remember to tweak them for every job you apply for.

There are a variety of sites on the web that allow you to look at sample entry-level resumes on the web many fields so just specify accounting and you are well on your way (look below for starting points). Have fun, learn new things and find that entry-level accounting sample resume!!

Resources:
http://www.alec.co.uk/how-to-write-a-resume/sample-resume-objectives.htm
http://www.jobbankusa.com/resumewrite/ResumeTemplates/accountant_entry_level_resume_template.html
http://www.resume-resource.com/examples.html
http://www.bestsampleresume.com/accounting-resumes.html

You can find entry-level resumes for a variety of job opportunities at many job search sites now on the web. For an entry-level copywriter resume the same is true and I say look at sites like collegerecuiter.com or monster.com or other sites that specialize in entry-level job opportunities. This is because it is usually the entry-level job searcher that needs tips on writing a resume, although surely anyone (in any stage of the job process) can find a sample resume worthwhile.

To get the most use out of your sample entry-level copywriter resume make sure to take advice from a site that explains exactly what employers look for in an entry-level copywriter and then gives tips on how your resume should emulate that image. I also enjoy sites that have real-life tips from current professionals to supplement the “expert advice” provided.

Look below, although I have to say I like Monster’s Resume Center, have fun, learn new things and find that entry-level resume!!

Resources:
http://resume.monster.com/restips/writersresume/
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/careerbytes/CBArticle.aspx?articleID=366&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=d153c367aedb4dbba2a7c77cc7946f9a-213573129-XJ-2
http://www.home.jobopenings.net/resume.htm
http://www.southworth.com/page.php?id=187

The easiest way to find entry-level job sites is to actually search for a job. If you are a fan of google, yahoo, msn, whatever you fancy, go there and search. Within seconds you will find a list of general entry-level job sites (such as collegerecruiter.com, salary.com, monster.com, aftercollege.com, job-hunt.org…) and even some sites that are specific to the field you are interested in. These specific sites function just like the general search sites allowing you to post resumes, search for jobs, profile your chosen career and many other useful things.

Personally, I like to look for entry-level job sites that have a bunch of ways to find job opportunities and also allow me to research my chosen field either with real-life commentaries, basic career information, job fairs or career centers. For the entry-level job searcher it is primarily about gaining experience and eventually moving up the ladder into more skilled positions. Any way you can accomplish that will ensure your success and an entry-level job site that can point you in that direction is a great site.

Most of the “general sites” have all of these options and more for entry-level job searchers; however, I do like entry-level jobs sites that specialize in a certain career. Because these sites have targeted information and many more ways for you to improve in that field and not just as an entry-level job searcher in general. Remember, there are so many ways to find what you are looking for on the information highway--you just have to look! So have fun, learn new thins and find that entry-level job!!

Beginning resources:
www.collegerecruiter.com
www.google.com
www.monster.com
www.msncareers.com
www.hotjobs.yahoo.com
www.job-hunt.org
collegerecruiter.salary.com
www.quintcareers.com
www.about.com
www.aftercollege.com
www.campuscareercenter.com
www.careerbuilder.com
www.thingamajob.com
(The list goes on and on and on…)

It is so refreshing to find out that job categories don’t have to be limiting. Although you are interested in an entry-level criminal justice job, you can engage in a lot of different activities all under the criminal justice umbrella. Diversity is the key to happiness and enjoyment in the workplace. Just as a hint: you don’t have to have an interest in entry-level criminal justice jobs to have it.

However, since we are talking about entry-level criminal justice jobs, we will want to look at “employment mega links in criminal justice,” this site has great resources for entry-level job seekers. There is a job title page (you can be a psychologist, an arson investigator, even a forensic scientist), a link to the occupational outlook (provided by the Department of Labor), a how to get a job in criminal justice page, additional tips and tricks and even how to apply for criminal justice jobs on the internet. Jobs are listed by job type as well, with all necessary supporting links, and you can search for entry-level criminal justice job opportunities by state.

This could truly be your last stop in your entry-level criminal justice job search but just in case (as always) I list some other sites that may be worth your while. So have fun, learn new things and find that entry-level job!!

Starting Point:
http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/employ.htm
Other Resources:
http://www.directdegree.com/s/CriminalJusticeCareers.shtml
http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~dreveskr/CCCR.html-ssi
http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/criminal.htm
http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/crimjust/jobs.htm
http://www.rrcc.edu/criminal/
http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/career/Students/ChoosingAMajor/html/criminaljust.htm

You can access a bunch of useful tools in your search for entry-level biology jobs using a website through the California State University’s career planning and placement office for those interested in biology careers. You can start on the main search site where the biology search tools are listed and from there, click on the bio online career center. This part of the site will provide you with all your entry-level biology job search needs and then some!

If you are not quite sure exactly where you fit but did major in biological sciences there is a great document entitled: “What Can I Do With A Major in Biological Sciences?” The list goes on for about 11 pages or so and lists possible biology job opportunities with a mini job description attached. You don’t have to be a teacher or a scientist to find a career in biology. You can be a botanist, a food technologist, even a landscape architect. The jobs listed are quite diverse and yet all have a biology-like feel. To be honest, for those of you searching for those entry-level biology jobs and want to take a path less traveled take a hint from this document. You can search jobs and develop them into something a biologist-lover like you would love. I mean I love the idea! So have fun, learn new things and find that entry-level biology job!!

Career Planning:
http://www.csuchico.edu/plc/biojobs.html
Biology Can Be A Lot of Things:
https://www.utexas.edu/student/cec/careers/biology.pdf#search=%22Entry-level%20biology%20jobs%22
Other Resources:
http://scientific.thingamajob.com/jobs/New-Jersey/Entry-Level-Biology/991992
http://bioinformatics.org/forums/forum.php?forum_id=1892

You can have your very own job cheerleader, although it won’t be free, and its name is a headhunter. These people are job consultants and advise all sorts of job seekers with catching their “dream job.” For you entry-level job seekers out there, if you decide to hire a headhunter make sure to have them find you all the best opportunities out there.

In addition, headhunters go door-to-door to find you that job opportunity. They go to different companies and sell you to the companies in question. A headhunter is an entry-level job seekers best friend! I’m not sure how much these job goldmines cost but if you are so inclined, do some more research on it. There are some articles written by headhunters and columns where you can “ask the headhunter,” so you may not have to pay anything at all and still get some good job searching advice.

I did read an article that had a sort of “beware of the headhunter” feel and cautioned job seekers who want to utilize the talent of a headhunter. The article states that job seekers should be sure they have a legitimate headhunter hunting for them. As in anything you do, research it thoroughly before committing to it. I provide a link below that has tips and tricks to help you spot a good or bad headhunter so read up. Next, have fun, learn new things and get your headhunter to find you that entry-level job!!

Recognizing Headhunters:
http://www.esquiregroup.com/about_news_02.cfm
Headhunter Resources:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=headhunter&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Continue reading "The Opportunity For Consulting At The Entry-Level Is High" »

As I write this entry I’m keeping all my fellow journalism majors as well as the graduates in mind. I decided to do this piece to help those who have had some trouble finding internships or work in this particular field. As a journalism major myself, I know how difficult it can be to locate sites with enough information to assist you in reaching your career goals. Here’s a list of several sites which list job opportunities, internships, and forms of advice:

http://www.journalismjobs.com
http://www.magazine.org
http://djnewspaperfund.dowjones.com
http://content.monstertrak.monster.com/resources/archive/careerfields/journalismdegree/
http://www.jrn.columbia.edu/careers/resources/internships.asp
http://www.asne.org

Hope this helps those of you who have had difficulty in these areas. Good luck!

Apparently, there are a lot of things that need to be installed: cable, alarms, satellite, tiles, glass, audio systems, HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning)…I’m sure the list could go on. The job opportunities that I tracked down are just as diverse, although some are definitely specific to one type of installer job.

How to become a mobile electronics installer is highlighted and I even list a site below that gives a course for HVAC designers and installers. For those wanting to install things related to electronics it is sometimes required that potential employees obtain an MCEP certification. There are various levels for the certification and all take a distinct amount of time to complete (ranging from two to four years), amount of experience required before one can even take the exam, and also have different price tags associated with them. You can either test to be a basic installer, and advanced installer or a master installer and the descriptions for each category are provided on the web page. Information on this exam can be found on the Consumer Electronics Association.

Next go to salary.com and see what you potentially intend to make as an entry-level installer and search for some jobs while there—installation made simple. So, have a great time, learn new things, and find an entry-level job.

MCEP exam:
http://www.ce.org/
http://mecp.com/exams.asp
Resources:
http://www.advancedenergy.org/buildings/courses/HVAC_design_and_installation/
http://www.caraudiohelp.com/newsletter/become_mecp_installer.htm
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_salaryrangenarrowjob_10_SC02.html
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=JR&job_did=J8D37M6Y40F780HNK82
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=OCPGT&job_did=J8A1BC6YKQFTC1DCPMR
http://www.indeed.com/q-Installer-l-Ann-Arbor-Michigan-jobs.html
http://www.sologig.com/Job/9949540

I absolutely LOVE food, seriously, I think about it whenever I can. Once I finish one meal, I’m thinking about what I will eat for the next two meals. I can’t help the obsession, I just love to eat, so to work with food for a living, would just be paradise for me. Unfortunately, science and I don’t get along and I don’t have a Bachelor’s of Science degree, so I can’t work with food and get paid for it. Darn. But for all you entry-level food science people out there, all I can say is wow! I mean did you know that there is a person who actually creates flavors? They are called a flavor chemist and manipulate and create flavors. Then there’s the food science specialist that creates product labels and nutrition information. Personally, I’d like to be the person who gets to eat the food, although I didn’t actually see a job description for that. The job descriptions show that food science jobs are a lot less gluttony-based and a lot more scientifically-based, ah well. Definitely check out the University of Minnesota’s site that provides sample job descriptions for food scientists with a BS degree.

Next look into the Major Resource Kit sponsored by the University of Delaware. It lists resources for finding employment, food science job titles to search for, professional organizations for food scientists, as well as employers and lists of other goodies helpful in finding entry-level food science jobs. Then there is the Society for Food and Science Technology, which provides all sorts of the same helpful resources—you can even post a resume. So have a great time, learn new things, and find an entry-level job.

University of Minnesota:
http://fscn.che.umn.edu/undergrad_students/fs_undergrad_students/jobs/food_science_job_descriptions.html
Major Resource Kit:
http://www.udel.edu/CSC/food.html
Society for Food and Science Technology:
http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1001283

Continue reading "Make Specializing in Radio a Rewarding Entry-Level Job Experience" »

There are many resources out there for the person interested in becoming an entry-level pilot. I found quite a few sites that feature job profiles of pilots and describe a typical day-in-the-life of a pilot. The sites are quite interactive and provide a nice range of support tools and resources for entry-level pilots. Some provide lists of piloting job search sites, career resources (such as seminars and fairs), and a couple of sites provide pilot jobs in Canada.

I think sites designed like the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook are important resources for entry-level job searchers. However, sometimes a personal touch, like the article provided on salary.com, can help and inform a job seeker in ways general information cannot. The article profiles a real life person and explores how he thinks about piloting, the positives and negatives of choosing piloting as a career and even why he became a pilot. The live-a-day-in-someone-else's-shoes idea is a nice angle.

I won't say anymore because I want you entry-level pilot job seekers to click on some of these links. So have a great time, learn new things, and find an entry-level job.

Resources:
http://www.jet-jobs.com/guestframe.html?gclid=COCN3u2crocCFTcpGgodO30E6Q
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobResults.aspx?sc_extcmp=gps
http://www.avianation.com/airline-pilot-jobs.cfm
http://collegerecruiter.salary.com/careers/layouthtmls/crel_display_Cat10_Ser134_Par234.html
http://www.delta.com/about_delta/delta_employment_opportunities/index.jsp
http://www.airlinejob.net/
http://www.pilotsweb.com/links/employ.htm
http://www.pilotcareercentre.com/JobListByRegion.asp?JobRegID=2
http://www.atac.ca/en/learn_to_fly/pilot_career_brochure.html
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos107.htm

The sites I list below will provide you with invaluable information since, in my opinion, cover letters are more important than resumes. It’s like what experts say about the “foot-in-the-door” phenomenon, it can be the most important part of the job search. I see the cover letter as the foot-in-the-door since it is what employers see before looking at your resume. If it’s not up to par, then they will probably not even take the time to read your resume. So you have to make it POP! I hope some of the sites below can help in that respect.

I recommend utilizing collegerecruiter’s search tool. Put "cover letters" in there and an entire list of articles is displayed. You can pick and choose what articles are relevant to you to create your entry-level cover letter. It’s nice because you can gain a barrage of opinions by putting in that search term. One article talks about the typical mechanics and format for cover letters while another article highlights “not wasting words.” Both tips are useful, yet you would have to read the two articles to get the most advice possible on your cover letter. Basically, this is just a long-winded way of saying to not limit yourself when it comes to advice. The more you can get, the better off you will be especially since you are more able to pick and choose what information is best for your needs. While you are there, surf all of the career tools listed here, it can only help.

I also like about.com because it is a site with a plethora of information on so many topics. It also provides an article on entry-level cover letters while at the same time giving links for job and internship search sites. You can pretty much get everything done at the same time. It’s so convenient! I also found a site that is called, surprisingly enough, amazing-cover-letters.com and so one can only assume you will find tips there for creating amazing cover letters-- win-win situation here.

If you are a visual person I also provide sites with sample entry-level cover letters so you can see what they look like first hand. I’m a visual person and plus I like looking at the templates that other people use when creating their cover letters (resumes too). I think it’s nice to have a model to work with.

Information on Entry-Level Cover Letters:
http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=22509666&pageid=r&mode=ALL&n=0&query=cover+letters
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/teenstudentgrad/a/entrylevel.htm
http://www.amazing-cover-letters.com/cover_letter_resources/entry_level_cover_letter.htm
Cover letter Models:
http://www.cvtips.com/view_free_cover_letters.html
http://www.resume-resource.com/examples.html
http://www.naz.edu/dept/career_services/coverletters.html

Probably the best way to find entry-level job opportunities, that permit you travel and provide training services, is to initially perform a general entry-level job search. After that go to one of the sites that come up and specify the above criteria in the job categories. There are categories where it asks if travel will be a problem for you, and as for training I say ask as you go along.

For instance, perhaps there is a job opportunity you don’t have actual work experience for but isn’t a job like computer programming or in the medical field where a degree is required. A lot of these jobs are probably in management, sales or human resources, leadership types of jobs that focus a lot more on interpersonal skills than complex qualifications. So that is always an option. I followed my own advice and, for example, found some interesting entry-level job opportunities willing to train potential candidates in the sports arena and one job as a travel agent (seems interesting).

If you find this approach doesn’t work the best for you I also found a couple of sites that specialize in entry-level jobs that provide employee training. Both sites are job banks and provide searchable criteria options, so make sure to find a job that has travel opportunities as well and make all your dreams come true! Isn’t job searching grand?

Job Search Sites:
http://jobs.careerbuilder.com/al.ic/Training.htm
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/jobs/content/jobs/resources/stories/jobs_travel_main.html
http://www.jobster.com/find/US/jobs/for/entry+level/page/2?source_type=any&source=search_results&d=28&s=b
http://www.jobbankusa.com/workhomejobs/aug22/travel_agent.html
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?siteid=cbc_true&lr=cbc_true&Job_DID=J8A0626R3DM6B5XNCJ8
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?siteid=cbc_true&lr=cbc_true&Job_DID=J7X0S560Q8VPP47X7NH

Job Training Sites:
http://www.trainerquest.com/
http://jobs.astd.org/


Financial analysts are essentially researchers, they research financial trends for any number of companies including banks, insurance companies, and securities firms, to name a few. Financial analysts read all kinds of financial related documents and statements to predict the value of a company and/or its future earnings. The typical required education level is an MBA or something called a Chartered Financial Analyst designation, which consists of an exam. More information on this exam and financial analysts can be found at wikipedia.com. This is where I got all of the above information! It does so much more than provide definitions for those tricky vocabulary words; it also gives brief career profiles. It is one useful encyclopedia that you can even read in other languages. See what else wikipedia has to say about entry-level financial analysts. Then again, monster.com and the Princeton Review also provide their very informative career profiles for the entry-level financial analyst. (Take a look at CNNMoney as well).

I also found a college recruitment site that provides an entry-level financial analyst program for recent graduates with business or related field majors. It boasts a fast track to career advancement and the necessary skills and training for all those interested in financial analysis. Look for the link below.

I also list below some sites where you can search for jobs at your leisure.

Background Research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_analyst
http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/profiles/dayInLife.asp?careerID=68
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/snapshots/42.html
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos259.htm
Jobs:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=JRG&job_did=J3G1206N26GMZMZNLQ7&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=b5728e840b3e437da5b84d13e89de345-211058188-WZ-2
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx?IPath=JRG&job_did=JZ5DN6WY0J5TGMD5CS
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs/MA/Lexington//JAT8Q1CP7

Continue reading "Entry-level Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs: Not For the Meek at Heart" »

First we are going to research entry-level jobs in advertising by taking a trip to the library—the career library. Job Web is a job search tool for recent college graduates and has a nice section on advertising (as well as marketing and public relations). It tells you how you can “land” your first entry-level jobs in advertising, what employers want, your salary outlook (my favorite as you know) and even contact information for professional organizations. This has to be the best starting place for those looking for entry-level jobs in advertising.

Next I have to say that my tried and true friend salary.com never disappoints and is worth looking into as well. That nice background information is bound to steer you right in the direction of your perfect entry-level advertising job in no time at all (positive thinking is always a necessity).

There are also a few jobs listed on entry-leveljobs.com that you can look into. There is even an option to subscribe to this website, so see if that will be of use to you on your job search.

Resources:
http://www.jobweb.com/Resources/Library/Careers_In/Network_Into_45_01.htm
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_salaryrangenarrowjob_10_SM01.html
http://www.brubach.com/eljo/publicrelations.htm

It seems to me that the only entry-level jobs that can be found online are sales jobs. I looked at four different websites just to see what kind of entry-level jobs were available around the country. The first ten pages on each site was almost completely filled with entry-level sales positions. That's all just fine for some but what about people like me who have no interest in sales?

Finding a good entry-level position in a field other than sales takes a lot more work than just surfing the net. In order to find one of these mysterious entry-level jobs, it seems that one must actually leave home and do some research. Now maybe I'm the only one who is just figuring this out, but I think that the first step in finding an non-sales entry-level job is to narrow your search to where you're willing, or wanting, to work. Even if you've narrowed that "where" down to fifty places, it's still a start. Once you have the "where", it may become less difficult to find the "how".

So you are in Texas (Houston to be exact) and you don’t know where to turn, where to look, where to work!! You are hot, sweaty, and ready to hit the pavement, but you don’t want to waste your time. Great. You don’t have to. Make sure you do your research first and that entry-level job will be yours after the required legwork.

I love job sites that are specifically tailored to cities; it’s so much more useful sometimes then trying to filter out irrelevant information. Especially if you know that Houston is where you want to be, browse through the Houston employment guide as well as jobing.com. Both of these sites allow you to search throughout the Houston area for entry-level jobs in a multitude of fields. If I were going to be in Houston this is where I would look first.

Then there is jobs.net and jobs.com, where you can specify a Houston focus and they’re not bad either. Remember that not all jobs listed are entry-level opportunities but see what you can find, it can’t hurt to search, then there is always the tried and true sites: collegerecruiter, careerbuilder, craigslist, hotjobs and monster. Look into it and soon you will work the entry-level job you always wanted in your beloved Houston. (Pep talks are great).

Houston Tailored Sites:
http://houston.jobing.com/search_power.asp
http://houston.employmentguide.com/
Other Resources:
http://www.jobs.net/Texas-Houston.htm
http://houston.jobs.com/
http://nyjobsource.com/entry/houston.html

Like I always say, it’s important to do background research on whatever it is you plan on doing, especially your career, and entry-level public relations jobs are no different. So, I think it is helpful to take a look at what the Public Relations Society of America has to say about the field in general and also subcategories (financing, multicultural affairs, government etc) in the public relations field. It’s a handy resource and would benefit anyone looking for an entry-level public relations job, get a feel about what the profession entails and if it is the right fit for you.

Then take a look at those job researching sites, the oldies (collegerecruiter.com, salary.com, smarthunt.com) are always good places to start finding those entry-level public relations jobs. I also found a newbie (http://www.brubach.com/eljo/publicrelations.htm) that might be interesting to look at as well. Make sure you provide strong references, resumes, and cover letters to get those entry-level public relations jobs, and the tool listed above will make sure that is possible.

Public Relations Society of America: http://www.prsa.org/_Resources/profession/careeroverview.asp?ident=prof2

What a broad topic. Entry-level employment can entail many, many things. You, my friend, need to get more specific. I say look into collegerecruiter, about.com, careerbuilder.com, monster.com, hotjobs.com…any of these sites are perfect for entry-level employment.

Then ask yourself what you are interested in. Is it helping others? If so look into social service jobs. Is it managing others, science, math, computers? I have good news for you; there are jobs for all this stuff! You just need to dig deep, be proactive and you’ll find what you are looking for.

Along with the entry-level employment search, you must have certain tools under your belt such as a strong resume and cover letter. All of these sites provide help in these areas. If you are the adventurous type, try looking internationally. Have fun with it and remember that the entry-level employment search is a process, and not necessarily a quick one.

So you want to pick people’s brains eh? Well, since you’re looking for entry-level jobs in psychology, you’re definitely not qualified (I'm joking of course), so let’s take it one step at a time. I think that psychology.about.com is a good place to start, provides a nice brief summary of the types of jobs available to the person looking for entry-level jobs in psychology. Basically someone right out of undergrad without the professional degrees and so honing those research skills, interpersonal skills and writing skills can open up a lot of jobs such as a library assistant, probation officer, business manager, case worker, or in sales, marketing, case management, and government welfare protection agencies. The list seems endless, a nice beginning to the entry-level job search.

Looking at a nice breakdown of entry-level jobs in psychology is a good idea as well. There are certain jobs in business, social services and an apparently miscellaneous category. It is definitely worth looking into for all you psychology majors out there.

Next try listening to some professional advice. I found a website (www.psychwww.com/careers), a pretty random website that actually had helpful links on it. There is advice and direction provided for all psychology aspirers, not just the entry-level job in psychology seeker. Links tailored to exploring careers with the same skills and abilities a student in psychology might have, entry-level jobs, graduate school advice and job searching resources. There is a nice timeline available, so those of you whom have not graduated yet, look into this right now.

First off, if you are looking for careers in geography in the first place—kudos—because you are already an impressive person. Now to make you marketable, I stay start with the Riley guide (www.rileyguide.com) as it lists all types of geography related jobs. Definitely the most important step in the job search is to know what it is you really want. Be as specific as possible since saying, for example, that you want an entry-level geography job is quite a broad statement, too broad in fact to actually do the search any justice. So visit the site, read up on the different types of entry-level geography jobs that are available out there and see which ones are perfect for you.

After you have the necessary research out of the way, the fun part comes in realizing that dream job. That’s where www.geosearch.com comes in by listing all types of geography jobs and where in the world you can find these opportunities. Just remember this is not the only resource available, click on the links tab and see what else pops up, you just might be pleasantly surprised.

I’m also a fan of professional organizations so see what the Association of American Geographers (www.aag.org/careers) has to offer. In my experience these organizations (for a small membership fee) provide links for internships, resumes, cover letters, the application process, conferences, contacts…a variety of useful stuff. Even before you start the entry-level geography job search, this site might be something of interest.

One last tidbit I found: jobs for geographers that don’t know GIS. Geographic Information Systems is a mapping software program used as a model of the world to find patterns in weather and even populations. Clever program. However, it seems that not all entry-level geography job seekers have experience in this software and an article on www.directionsmag.com has some advice for those people. I wouldn’t do it justice by summarizing it here, since the geography specific jargon goes over my head, but look into it.

It seems that finding those entry-level government jobs is not the hardest thing to search for in the working world. There is an official website for government jobs called USAJobs (http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/?WT.svl=searchbutton) and provides one of those handy job search tools (yay search tools) that allows you to specify what type of government job you want, in what state/province and requires you to specify even further the job description (manager for example). It couldn’t be easier to find entry-level government jobs, it seems, and to make the process even easier you can search by agency, and occupational series (how federal jobs are grouped). There is also the senior executive search, which is, apparently, one of the top job levels in the federal government.

There are even sites available out there that allow for an even more specified search for government jobs such as Cyber-Sierra's (http://www.cyber-sierra.com/nrjobs/gov1.html) natural resources job search for government jobs in conservation. This site is nice because it provides a plethora of different links for all types of government jobs and assistance in searching and obtaining government jobs. It’s a nice little database for government jobs and even has resume help as a featured tool.

There are many ways to specify the search at these sites so just tinker with those handy search tools.

The Internet is wonderful!!! A plethora of resources and information, if you just know where to look; it’s great! So I was thinking about the future today (I do so often) and also about a part-time job I’m thinking of taking on in September. I want to make a budget for myself because I plan to go to graduate school Fall 2007, and I need to save money, so I’ve recently been calculating expected costs. Such as, if I make this much money I’ll be able to spend this much money and still have this much saved up for next year. I stumbled upon the salary wizard created by collegegrad.com (under the heading “salaries”) that allows one to calculate entry-level salaries based on the location you live in (you can also search by a ton of other job categories.)

What is also great is that the website provides a nice parabolic graph listing the lowest entry-level salaries, the average entry-level salaries and the highest entry-level salaries for the job in question. There is a tab that factors in bonuses and benefits and you can get an even more detailed personalized calculation by including your background information, such as your experience and educational information, (although this requires a profile on the website). Quite useful information if you want to know what salary you need from a particular job, especially if you’re like me and have to start paying back loans soon!

Another gadget on the same website is a “cost of living calculator,” which I had a lot of fun with. It takes your base salary now, where you live and work, and where you are moving to, then calculates what you need to earn in your new location to “maintain your current state of living.” Also complete with nice graphics comparing the cost of living between the two places, say between Raleigh, North Carolina and Chicago, Illinois. The gadget even tells you how much higher, or lower, the living costs are between the two locations. Then there’s the stuff just for fun such as the job assessor, salary timer and millionaire maker, but I won’t ruin it for you.

Today was the day. Finally, I had the time to research to my heart's content at my local library for the final project in my Media class. I worked hard yesterday to finish up last minute assignments so that I would be able to dedicate all of my time today for this intricate, detailed project. I brought my notebook, pencil, pen, and list of references. At the library, I headed to the reference area for my books. I filtered through a handful of books on my selected subject, but gleaned very little information for my troubles. I hate to admit it, but I actually investigated the children's section, just to see if they had anything relevant to my topic. They didn't. I finally checked out two books partially suited to the task, and headed to a local bookstore for more. Then a second. Then a third. At 9 p.m., I gave up and headed home--with my two little semi-appropriate books. I didn't get much more information online, either. 10:45, and nothing. Not even a paragraph. The ideas that seemed so relevant in the morning faded like a wisp of vapor by nightfall. The dreaded enemy of even the bestselling author had caught up with me--writer's block. By now, my creativity is fading, my eyes are dimming, and my body is slouching. Sleep calls to me. Oh well. I must try again tomorrow.

There are so many websites out there that you can post your resume on and search for a job. How do I know which ones to try? Should I try all of them? Are they basically the same thing? Are there more jobs on one site than another? Who has all of this information, anyway? And who has the time to upload your resume 267 times? Especially without promising a career to follow....

Yes, most of us have heard the statement, "If you do what you love then it's like not working at all." After hearing such a statement the result is you usually rolling your eyes thinking, "Yeah, that's definitely easier said then done," right? Same here. People always told me that life's too short to do something you're going to be miserable doing. A lot of all of our lives, unless a famous pop star sensation is reading this, will be spent at a workplace, doing something involving paper, computers, or the ever so enthralling stapler, so don't waste it.

I started researching places of work that relate to one of my interests - video games. I've grown up with fat Italian plumbers who grow to massive sizes upon the consumption of a magic mushroom and then smash bricks with their heads with relative ease, and I've enjoyed it very much so. I never thought about turning this hobby or side interest in a career, but after thinking about going into a job I would hate myself for I did some research. I'm a graduate with a Journalism degree so college degree plus video games equals a video game writer. I searched around through various video game publications, sent a few pitch letters, and eureeka, today I finally got a response.

Working on this article dealing with video games is a tremendous joy. I'm getting paid to do something fun that I like doing and boy oh boy, it makes work not seem like work at all. In a way, it's like getting paid for nothing. Sure all of the world can't do exactly what they want to do with their lives, otherwise there would be a tremendous shortage of people working with sewage and fast food, but the closer a job is to an activity you enjoy doing, the more rewarding that job will be. Stop rolling those eyes - unless of course it's something you like doing. If that's the case, then go find a way to get paid for it!

Career fairs! They are the next best thing to an interview because this gives you the opportunity to talk face-to-face with a recruiter, etc. Most have probably heard this tactic, but it is one of the most efficient. You must think that the reason the employers and companies have shown up at these groupings are because they have a NEED for people to become part of their business. I'm not going to go over all the essentials of looking good, posture and all of that, but rather include other information regarding presentation.
With all the tables typcially aligned side by side, it gives some of the companies a heads up on what the future employee is looking for. For example, if you should decide to go to a company table that interests you, but sitting right next is another great company that draws an appeal, be careful of what you might say to each. You don't want to favor one over the other unless it is clear that you have done your research and know for sure that one of the companies is a sure appeal.
Before going up to a table, make sure you have done research previously about that company so you can talk on their caliber of interest. Show that you have researched the company, and pay attention to opportunities where you can add in bits of information that are in regard to their Web site or articles, etc. This tends to show the company that you aren't just a person looking for a job, but a person that has a genuine interest in working for them. All the information is hard to come by, so ask questions. Remember, you are the one wanting the job, but they need you to do it. Ask important questions about the job functions, locations, company relations, environment and any other tasks that you are concerned in doing just so you have the full monty of the job description and outlook.
Business cards are a good thing to have as well, not just for a company, which shows that you are an organized person, but for aquaintances that you might run into, or people you might meet that are looking for a job as you are. This is another networking opportunity to keep in touch and exchange advice.
E-career fairs are another developing and popular thing emergining from the internet. These are usually set up through colleges or universities. So, look at your college site and take advantage of these.
All in all, be prepared to make an impact. Stand out. Make them want to remember you through your personality, attire, or information quality that you present. Better hurry, blue light special in isle three...

Well...what I have learned is waiting does nothing in a sense. What I'm trying to say is it is up to you to go out and seek what you want because it is very rare, a diamond in the rough if you will, to have a job come to you. I think job searching is crucial in order to pinpoint a coveted job that would suit one well. Although this can be overdone to a point. When searching online for the most part, it may be simple to send numerous resumes to all the companies that seem like they draw interest; however, this could present no outcomes or overlapping wants.
The outcomes usually occur with detailed cover letters tailored toward a specific company. If more than one response to your resume happens, now you have a decision not only regarding the amount of money you will make and what location, but how suiting the job is for yourself. It's nice to think of the other things as what you might get from the job, but as far as being happy with the choice you made might be more of worth.
I found out to definately take the time to pinpoint exactly what interests you and always think of the question "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
People sometimes become sidetracked that most statistics point to people not enjoying their current job as one would like. Researching is the best tool to decide what interests you like. And, some vital advice, when in college, participate in any volunteer work and internships that area available as to help you in the future. Once college is over and you are on the job search, everything helps that was done in the past due to the amount of experience that is necessary to prove your capabilities to the employer.
One last comment, stay on the prowl...

Have you ever wondered about the value of education, or its impact on your financial future? A large national retail chain employs undereducated people at minimum wage requirements. Even those who have somehow managed to rise within the company--spending in some cases years of their lives--still live on a meager paycheck to paycheck salary. These people are intelligent, hardworking individuals--just undereducated. In an age where 4 years of college is mandatory to find a decent job, education has become more important than ever. Costs of college today are staggering--the average 4 year education, by my estimation, costs around $40,000; however, the cost of undereducation is much greater.

The average college graduate makes about $400 more per week than the high school graduate (Bureau of Labor, 2001). That's a loss of around $20,800 per year, and $832,000 over 40 potential years of labor from graduation through retirement. Additionally, the jobs secured by college grads tend to offer more attractive benefits, including better insurance and 401k packages.

So, the next time you're wondering if higher education is worth 4 years and $40,000 (minus scholarships and grants which are available), consider the cost of undereducation--can you afford that?

Reference
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2001/june/wk4/art03.htm

The challenges of a globalized economy
Hello Fellow Colleagues,
I am excited to write for CollegeRecruiter.com! I am currently working on a PhD in Leadership for Higher Education and I have had a multitude of work experiences that include advertising sales and management, teaching, writing/editing, and now extensive PhD researching. My current job market is in Arizona and it has always been a challenge finding interesting work that pays well in this particular area, and now in this new globalized economy. I find that one needs to constantly upgrade one’s skills and abilities to stay competitive and marketable…hence, the PhD work. I will be writing about my work experiences, advising others on the challenges of finding that perfect job, interviewing skills, and the advantages of seeking higher education to become more marketable and attractive to employers. In addition, I will discuss how to change one’s career track and how to adapt and compete in a constantly changing globalized workplace. Let the games begin!
The Punk Rock PhD
Lisa Marie

A lot of us who are looking for jobs use online search services, including myself. Wow, what an overwhelming experience huh? There are tons of search options and even if you put some limitations on your search like a general area you want to work, then there are still tons of listings you have to sort through.

Last night I found a new college job seeking site with new listings I hadn't seen on any other site. Yay, a new play toy! Then of course, I became addicted. No, that wasn't just a figure of speech - I seriously searched over and over using different key words in different areas of the Journalism and Communication fields I would like to go in for over four hours.

After clicking, searching, and basically gluing my eyes to the screen, I said to myself, "Wow, did I just waste all that time searching and didn't discover anything? I could have been doing something to take my mind off the stress of lookingi for a job. . . especially on a Friday night when looking for a job is the last thing on all my friends' minds." I figure, from all the skills, requirements, and experience needed listings on every job opening that I read, I should at the very least know what employers are looking for and how I can improve myself by learning those skills. Is it a bit sneaky to find out what they want and then make yourself exactly what they want? I don't think so.

Hmmm, I'm having the strange urge to go do some more searching now.

While attending college for my undergraduate degree I learned that every challege that comes forth will need to be surpassed by a lesson well learned. ( I think that overcoming adversity should be inevitable.... but its not.)
Now that I have recently graduated, I didn't realize that I was going to spend endless hours, days.... even weeks on researching career opportunities and the million different ways to create the "ideal" cover letter and resume.... I am still searching for that perfect job. But until then I am also learning new traits about myself. First, I need to be more patient and understanding that my ideal job will not come over night. SecondIy, I must be open to related opportunities. So my advise to other graduates or college seniors, or anyone looking for a carrer is keep your eyes and ears open to new avenues and ways to get involved to become more marketable. I have always been a true advocate for volunteering and networking. I have learned as a young teen that in order to get recognized as the hardworking person that I am I need make a name for my self and by volunteering with local organizations it has been beneficial in the long run. So have patience, be open minded and network b/c you never know where the journey ahead will lead until you understand that patience is a virtue.

I went home last weekend for some family events and started talking to my mom about the whole “future” thing. To my utter surprise, she said to me, “Cait, of course I want you to have a cookie-cutter life: get married, buy a house, have kids. But I know now that that’s my life, not yours. So go to the city, try out some things, travel while you can. I’m excited for you.” Who is this woman who claims she’s my mother?

So after that little boost of encouragement, I’ve been furiously searching for jobs and internships on different career sites. I figured I’ll take paid internships in exchange for experience. Yesterday, I applied to three different places:
1) A temporary position with an agency that edits documents for companies that have outsourced their editing to the agency. Lots of experience, lots of exposure to different types of publications.
2) A grassroots movement internship to be a campaign assistant. Lets me get to know the city better and I have the opportunity to speak Spanish. Sounds like fun.
3) A not-for-profit focusing on the Latino community and education. Combines a lot of my interests and I will definitely have to communicate in Spanish. Very exciting.

I’m also finding that everyone on this blog that says that job searching is a job is so right. I woke up yesterday morning and spent hours at my computer, looking up jobs and internships, researching companies and writing up cover letters. I had to force myself to go to class, only with the incentive that I have to go to class to pass and graduate. And even in class, I was thinking about jobs, Washington, housing, companies to look up when I got home. Balancing school and job searching is, well, not fun.

So, it has been nearly a year since I received my undergraduate degree that I worked so hard for. Yet, I do not have a job that utilizes my hard earned skills and abilities. I have always liked to think that I have not led a sheltered life, that I understand that people are dishonest and often cruel. However, I committed a huge mistake. As my college career was winding down, I really put a lot of effort into my job search. Unfortunately, like so many of my peers, I rely on the internet for many of my daily activities and concerns. I pay my bills, do my banking, keep in touch with friends, so why not use this tool in my job search? The number one reason: it is full of scams. So many of the jobs listed for "recent grads" and "entry level" positions are truly scam artists trying to make a quick buck via a pyramid scheme using unsuspecting and eager graduates. This is not to say that all internet job searches are a bad idea. Just please use caution when exploring and narrowing down options. Fortunately for me, I have a wonderful career center at my alma mater that helped me research the companies that I had interviews with beforehand, and I found out just what I would be signing up for. I quickly cancelled my appointments, and hope that this advice will keep some graduates from making a big, money-draining, and time-consuming mistake.

I don’t mean the title as “finding a job is hard work” (which it is) but rather, employment searching is your current job, especially if you don’t have a paycheck coming in. It is important to keep your self-esteem up. Job searching in PJs and not getting up until 11am can negatively effect certain people.

If you believe that finding a job is your current job, you are more likely to get employment quicker. The one mistake I made was not setting certain hours searching, but rather spreading it out over the entire course of the day. By the end of it, I was tired because I never had a break. If you look for a job during 9am-5pm and leave the evenings to have fun, you’re more likely to be refreshed for upcoming interviews and networking. Depending on what you are searching for, you should give yourself at least 1 day off (probably Saturday or Sunday).

Things to do:

Continue reading "Finding a Job is a Job" »

One mistake a lot of employment seekers make is to think posting one’s resume on the mega employment sites is enough. At best, those sites should merely serve as a gateway to the company’s website, and you should only post your resume on the mega sites after you have done substantial research and know what each field needs.

The inherent problem with posting a resume on a mega site, however, is one can usually only post one resume per account at a time. The golden rule to remember when searching for a job is each resume should only be crafted after one has done research on each company.

Doesn’t that mean I have to write dozens of resumes, you ask?

Not exactly. Once you get the template completed, the rest should simply be plugging in data in each slot based on the research you have done of the company.

What should I research, you ask? The industry and the company.

The best place to start is at the company’s Values page. It can be known as different things, but basically it is the mission statement. Look at the products the company makes or sells. Get a feel for the website. Secondly, look at any news clips from the company or about the company. Try to extract names of the higher ups: CEOs, managers, etc, and their phone numbers or email addresses. That way you can start the initial contact with: “I was impressed by the recognition you received in ____ for ____.” Read reports, articles, and spend time speaking with some of the people who have and are working for the company. Also, check out networking sites such as Friendster and Ryze (though it is best to start networking prior to needing a job). Doing these things will help increase both your knowledge of the company and your interview confidence.

There are also industry specific websites. For example, if you are looking to get into Media or similar, you have MediaBistro and Publisher’s Weekly. Look for professional associations for your industry; most you can join for a small fee, and they look good on your resume.

Just don’t throw your resume out there blind.

One mistake a lot of employment seekers make is to think posting one’s resume on the mega employment sites is enough. At best, those sites should merely serve as a gateway to the company’s website, and you should only post your resume on the mega sites after you have done substantial research and know what each field needs.

The inherent problem with posting a resume on a mega site, however, is one can usually only post one resume per account at a time. The golden rule to remember when searching for a job is each resume should only be crafted after one has done research on each company.

Doesn’t that mean I have to write dozens of resumes, you ask?

Not exactly. Once you get the template completed, the rest should simply be plugging in data in each slot based on the research you have done of the company.

What should I research, you ask? The industry and the company.

The best place to start is at the company’s Values page. It can be known as different things, but basically it is the mission statement. Look at the products the company makes or sells. Get a feel for the website. Secondly, look at any news clips from the company or about the company. Try to extract names of the higher ups: CEOs, managers, etc, and their phone numbers or email addresses. That way you can start the initial contact with: “I was impressed by the recognition you received in ____ for ____.” Read reports, articles, and spend time speaking with some of the people who have and are working for the company. Also, check out networking sites such as Friendster and Ryze (though it is best to start networking prior to needing a job). Doing these things will help increase both your knowledge of the company and your interview confidence.

There are also industry specific websites. For example, if you are looking to get into Media or similar, you have MediaBistro and Publisher’s Weekly. Look for professional associations for your industry; most you can join for a small fee, and they look good on your resume.

Just don’t throw your resume out there blind.

With three years of technical editing and a BA in Psychology under my belt, I have been struggling to combine these areas into a recognizable job title. I'd worked closely with computer programmer types in my IT job, but had never become skilled at coding myself.

I had a lengthy discussion with a recruiter for a large software corporation. She generously shed light on possibly expanding my IT skills into a career in usability. The field seems encompassing of all the skills I would like to incorporate into my career goals. While directly involved with IT, certain levels only require research and data experience, not coding language fluency. A knack for writing and editing also comes in handy. The recruiter commented that hiring managers are eager to hire recent college grads because of their malleable minds and willingness to train. This information made me more optimistic about being able to enter into a job that meets a majority of my criteria.

There is a local chapter for usability people that meets every month. Informative presentations and lectures are open to the public and cover the most up-to-date happenings within the field. It's also a great way to gain insight from those already in the field and network with various companies.

I'm excited about this new option and the opportunity that may come with it!

My dream job materialized on a whim and a phone call. I had interviewed with this law firm in 2003. The interview with the head attorney was just so-so. But he sent me a rejection letter that said I was one of the top candidates and I found out that the firm might be expanding in the future. I kept meaning to check in with this firm to see if they were hiring again. But three years went by, I got busy with my call center position, and life in general. Then one day while I was driving by, I saw that this firm had relocated into their OWN BUILDING, and I thought, how prosperous, and how close to home! Last Friday, I called and remembered the paralegal who had interviewed me in 2003. She referred me to the office manager, who said, yes, they were hiring, and could I come in that night? I did, and found out the firm had excellent benefits, and that the opening was for a replacement for a paralegal who was leaving to be with her husband in North Carolina.

I interviewed with the Managing Partner on Saturday. He sounded real tough, asking me about each job and why I left and did I do a good job at each place. I answered candidly and straightforwardly, told him confidently that I would do a good job for him. I told him that he had a very good benefits package and that my salary requirements were negotiable. I gave him references, including a law firm I had worked at for eight years. He asked me for more work experience references, and I gave them. Then he smiled and left me with the assurance that if the references checked out, that he would have a job offer for me. He called me at home the next Monday night, and just said, "Dottie, do you want to work for me?' I said yes and he offered me $1,0000.00 more than I had asked for, to do the kind of work I had trained for in a lovely new office real close to home.

Know yourself. Seriously. Know what your interests are, what you would enjoy doing. There are a lot of career inventory tests and aptitude tests and tests to fit your career to your personality. Your dream job may not be the best-paying job, but based on my personal experience, money doesn't exactly buy happiness!

Get as much information as you can about the careers you're interested in. Interview people in the field. Job-shadow if you can. Try not to make the mistake I've made of just working in jobs to pay the bills. I make a decent salary, but the personal fulfillment isn't there.

I worked at the boring data entry job for a month. Given a choice between staring at spreadsheets all day long, and wanting to sleep for boredom of it all, and sitting at home having the freedom to run my errands and work out whenever I wanted, I had to choose the former. I did not want to use up all my 401K money that I had cashed out, simply because the job wasn't "right." I had to work! I had 5 weeks off and, granted, they were a nice 5 weeks off, but it was back to the workforce for me, and this was the best job that had come my way.

Fortunately, I was still keeping my options open, updating my resume on all the sites I'd had it posted to. Within a couple of weeks I came across a position that was similar to what I'd done at my purchasing job(s), but not in purchasing. There were a few qualifications I wasn't sure I met, but I took a chance and applied anyway. Would you believe I had a moment of self-doubt, and almost didn't interview for the position, because I felt I wasn't qualified? **NOTE: Don't do this to yourself.** Give yourself a chance to show your employer what a good asset you would be to the company.

Assets, by the way, are my specialty for the moment. I am now employed in an asset management position at an automotive company. Yes, the job is still a bit dry (okay, a LOT dry) and totally doesn't offer the challenge or even the workload that I'm accustomed to, but it pays more than my last purchasing job did, and I needed good benefits to boot, so I took the job. At the time I was just happy to have obtained a half-way decent job that paid me well enough for me to feel more "whole." I am still keeping my options open, though, believe me!

Continue reading "Still reflecting/in the interim................." »

Friday's interview at the law firm went well. I got hired on the spot! It's only 20 hours a week, since I still have classes that take up the first half of the day. But, it's a weekly paycheck. There's only one attorney to work for, and only two lines to answer. Lots of high-tech gadgets to play with; I have never met an attorney who is more abreast of technology than I am. It should work out well though. I start tomorrow, but I'm really not all that nervous. The first few days of a new job always suck, getting used to people's mannerisms, agendas, etc. I'm not thrilled about being back in law, but, as I said in the previous post, it's the easiest field for me to get into right now. It's not all bad, just not my life's calling. It's all -- if I may reference the title -- a means to an end.

Now that the job hunt is over, at least for now, I have spent hours online researching internships. I think I may have one in the works; it's unpaid, but just the experience of it would be enough. (I don't want to elaborate on it until I know for sure. I'm superstitious that way lol.) I did manage to find some associate programs for some major publishing companies in NYC, so I applied for those. I don't really see any reason I shouldn't get accepted to at least one, since I am an English major, and I have publishing experience -- a work-study position, but it still counts.

Money is going to be super tight as I save up for the move to NYC. I really hope I get one of those associate positions. It's a year of training in all the different departments, it pays decent and I have an extremely high chance of landing a permanent position. Not a bad way to get one's foot in the door, huh? I think I'm already "in NYC" though, at least mentally. I just can't wait to get up there in a few months and start my career. My career! At 22, that is so weird to think of. I'm ready to get in there though, make my mark and whatnot.

I left off previously with my entrance into my new career of choice - ophthalmology. I knew it meant I would be making less money (especially at first, since, as I mentioned, I was making half of what I was used to making), but because I was in the healthcare field and would be helping people, I was willing to make that sacrifice.

I gave up a somewhat laid-back, corporate environment where my boss didn't micromanage me because he trusted I knew how to do my job, to work at a place where I was constantly on my feet running around assisting ophthalmologists, being spoken to as if I were a child, and a little frightened and frustrated because of the sheer fact that this was all new for me. I went from interacting with salespeople and network technicians, to working with doctors and other prospective techs. I transitioned from a somewhat high-profile job at my old employer, to being just another body wearing scrubs. I gave up ordering cool "geek" stuff like computers, printers, software and peripherals, to instilling eyedrops in patients' eyes and hoping they wouldn't blink (which, most of the time, they did). It was a very trying time.

Continue reading "Look before you leap! - Part 2" »

Hi - this is my first entry so I hope it goes well.

From looking at some entry titles, it appears that some people are in the same boat as I am, in terms of wanting to find a "better fit" for them job-wise. I had been in Purchasing for several years, and after finally taking time to ask myself "Is this what I want to be doing for the rest of my life?" I decided I wanted to get into a field where I'm helping people. I thought healthcare was the way to go for me - it's one of the (seemingly) few industries that's flourishing instead of dying down, and many of my family members are in nursing. After doing some research, I felt I found my niche in ophthalmology, as I've always had a keen interest in the inner workings of the eye. I took my first course in ophthalmology to become an ophthalmic assistant - basically, a medical assistant for eye doctors. I had to complete 3 courses total to graduate, but because there are so few schools in this state for training ophthalmic assistants, many practices will hire students. I started sending out my resume, eager to embark on my new career. Within a few days I received calls for interviews, and then an offer. So, after 4 years of working at a half-way decent job, I took the plunge and put in my notice, took a MAJOR paycut (at least 1/2 my salary) and started working in the ophthalmology world.

I have this penchant for buffets. And it's not because I spend too much time on the Las Vegas strip or have an insatiable appetite. It's because you can pick and choose what you want on your plate. A little of this, a lot of that. There's nobody asking, "soup OR salad? -- you can have both or neither if you so desired. Each person has their plate on which their most favorable cuisine is placed.

Applying this outside of the fine dining realm isn't so simple. My final semester at the University of Washington was plagued by everyone's questions of post-college plans. I was about to obtain a BA in Psychology and also had three years experience as a technical/copy editor under my belt. While these two fields may enhance each other, they certainly do not coincide to form a recognizable job title. Finding a position that held a complementary balance between the two proved to be a discouraging. Finding more promise in technical/copy editing, I am currently pursuing that area while still assisting with research in a psychology lab.

My next challenge is selecting a location. I grew up in Scottsdale, AZ where the sun is bright and the golf courses plentiful. My relocation to Seattle, WA for college proved to be an aqueous four years in which I went through a double digit number of umbrellas. However, I made valuable friendships and work connections during my time in Seattle and am still here today, hesitant to leave.

My final destination lies either in Arizona or Washington and I am still pacing the floor as to where to focus my energy. I've applied to jobs in both states and have had a couple technical writing offers I've declined because of the amount of travel required. These were great employers who were dedicated to catering to their clients. However, the position would require me to be out-of-town for months at a time, returning home for as little as a week before taking off again. While I enjoy traveling, my need to have a home base took priority.

Finding the right balance is a trying process. While your ideal situation may present itself, chances are you are going to have to compromise. Being open to only a list of narrow criteria will leave you pinched for opportunities. Jumping the gun and taking the first offer that comes your way without consideration may put you on the wrong path. I've found that generously yet thoroughly defining your limits will help guide you through the decision making process.

Here’s to a promising plate…

Thanks for the pointers!! I looked into the CIA website like you said, and there are some jobs requiring knowledge of several languages. The thing is you need to be a US Citizen to apply! Which I'm not, so...

I do have some good news though! Amazing news actually, I can't stop smiling only thinking about it! Yesterday, I started thinking about other Belgians in NY. There are several Belgian companies in the city, and they might be more willing to hire me because of our shared nationality! It's not the first time I thought about that idea, only I wanted to look for a job here in Rochester! And because there are no Belgian companies or associations here in Rochester, I gave up on the idea. Now, finding a job here is not that easy for me... so I reconsidered.

SO!! Yesterday, I visited the site of the Belgian Embassy in Washington! On the site I found several representatives (consular, diplomatic, economic, regions and communities all from Belgium situated in the US). I send my resume to the ones of my interest and after a couple of hours I received a phone call from the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the UN in New York. I have an interview on Monday!! I hope everything works out because this would be the best ever!!

I'm planning to contact some Belgium companies, now that I'm going to be in the City I might as well take advantage of the opportunity.
Wish me luck!

Thanks for the pointers!! I looked into the CIA website like you said, and there are some jobs requiring knowledge of several languages. The thing is you need to be a US Citizen to apply! Which I'm not, so...

I do have some good news though! Amazing news actually, I can't stop smiling only thinking about it! Yesterday, I started thinking about other Belgians in NY. There are several Belgian companies in the city, and they might be more willing to hire me because of our shared nationality! It's not the first time I thought about that idea, only I wanted to look for a job here in Rochester! And because there are no Belgian companies or associations here in Rochester, I gave up on the idea. Now, finding a job here is not that easy for me... so I reconsidered.

SO!! Yesterday, I visited the site of the Belgian Embassy in Washington! On the site I found several representatives (consular, diplomatic, economic, regions and communities all from Belgium situated in the US). I send my resume to the ones of my interest and after a couple of hours I received a phone call from the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the UN in New York. I have an interview on Monday!! I hope everything works out because this would be the best ever!!

I'm planning to contact some Belgium companies, now that I'm going to be in the City I might as well take advantage of the opportunity.
Wish me luck!

After many years of studying (and partying!), you’ve finally graduated. Now, what do you do once the celebrations fade away? It’s time for all of your hard work to finally pay off, as you settle down to find a worthwhile career.

People say, “As long as you’re sending out cover letters and resumes, you’ll get interviews.” The truth is maybe in the tightest of job markets, or maybe if you are only applying to specific positions for which you are perfectly qualified, will this kind of passive job-search strategy produce any job interviews. Jobseekers today must be proactive in their job search. You must follow-up every job lead including calling employers and request an interview. If you are under-qualified for a position or changing careers, request an interview anyway. You may not be qualified for that specific position, but the employer may have other openings (or know of other openings).

Anyone who tells that job hunting is easy, and not frustrating at all is obviously lying to you. I spent 15 post-graduation months looking for a job in a practically closed marketing and public relations field. I tried every proactive strategy I can think of to get the interview and was fortunate to get at least 3-4 interviews per month, but still could not land that perfect job. Month after month, interview after interview I heard, “Sorry, our hiring objectives have changed”, or “ We hired someone with more experience.” I began to wonder, why am I even trying to go on these interviews.

My girlfriend at that time, was also having problems finding a job, but in the technology sector. As the months went by with both of us not having job, we became more and more depressed, and tensions rose. Instead of enjoying our moments together like we used to, we began to fight all the time over the littlest of things.

As tensions rose and feelings of depression emerged, my good performance on interviews began to dwindle away, and not so slightly. If it weren’t for my close relationships with my parents and my karate instructor who was my mentor, and my ability to talk to them about anything, I’d still be here today without a job. They helped me reverse my attitude and find the positive light again. They helped me realize that I have accomplished so much in my life, and I have no reason to doubt myself. It was a long, bumpy road, but I finally reached the point where I’m happy, and so will you. Learn from my mistakes, keep your head up high, and never doubt your abilities, your knowledge and your skills. You may not get the job you want right away, but don’t let that interfere with future opportunities. Remember, when one door closes, another door opens.