Landing Your First Job

By Michael E. Cinatl

Director, Career and Campus Services

Tarrant County College

 

If you are a college student you are more than likely facing fear and concern about getting your first job within your field of study, your chosen career. You are not alone! While most college students feel exactly as you do, the feeling is particularly keen for business and liberal arts majors. One source of your fears may come from a lack of experience working within your chosen career.

If you are like your classmates you probably respond to these fears by putting off what you need to do to make yourself marketable and discover the various types of jobs that exist in your career path. Your college degree will not automatically provide you with a clear cut idea of what your first job will or should be. One solution that many college grads pursue is entering graduate school instead of facing the intimidating environment of resume development, applications, and interviews.

A more “take charge” approach however, would be one that enables you to see yourself doing the kind of job that suits your degree, interests, and needs. Granted, this can be difficult without some experience but imagining yourself in a career-oriented job will help you build self-confidence which will lead you into developing the “image” you will use to land an interview with a prospective employer. Without a clearly defined identity in your career path, you appear uncertain, unassertive, and a less likely fit to any organization.

Employers have their businesses to run and in turn are looking to hire individuals that possess the qualities and skills that are needed to keep their company profitable and competitive. As a college student, you must demonstrate to prospective employers that you have both the strengths and capabilities needed to get the job done. Simply stated, gainful employment is dependent on demonstrated credibility.

It is never too early to begin developing your career plan and implementing the steps necessary to build your confidence and competence. As a college student you can no longer depend on your parents or teachers to guide you into making these types of career-oriented decisions. Be careful not to let your own inexperience prohibit you from trusting your own intuition. Remember that the career path you choose must be right for you, given your interests, talents, and desires. Don't fall prey to hesitation and the tendency to make employment decisions after you have completed your degree. You might end up staying in school until you have earned a doctorate and still have no employment prospects!

There is light at the end of the tunnel! You can overcome these employment obstacles with a realistic plan. This will be the edge you will have over less confident and competent college graduates. Begin by finding out all you can about job opportunities in your career path and learn how to get hired now. You will need to seek out pertinent publications, talk to people who already work in the field, talk with a campus career counselor, and incorporate career goals in your course assignments whenever possible. Do not put it off until tomorrow for before you know it, commencement day will be here! Make plans now to land the job you want not simply one you are grateful for getting. To clear your first job hurdles, develop a strategy that will keep you focused and help you realize your personal career success.

Michael E. Cinatl is Director of Career and Campus Services at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Tex. He has been involved in post secondary education for more than twenty years. His background has been in both technical education and career development. He serves on several state and national committees related to work force development. He has given addresses to numerous national organizations on topics relevant to career education.

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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