Planning Ahead For That “Perfect Job”

By Ray Palmer & Linda Pearson

University of Connecticut

WHEN TO START? WHERE TO START? WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO BUY? WHERE TO LOOK? FOLLOW-UP NOW!!

Students are encouraged to stop by their Career Services Center early in their Freshman year, to introduce themselves, and to become familiar with all the services the Center has to offer them. Take a “personal inventory”.

Identify your skills, define your goals. What do you like to do? What are you good at? Do you prefer working alone or with others? Where do you see yourself in five, ten years? What geographic location do you prefer?

Develop/enhance your resumé. Maintain a high GPA (many companies consider 3.0 the minimum). Also join clubs and professional organizations. Become an officer, develop your leadership skills. Employers consider the “whole package”, not just GPA.

Before you begin meeting with professionals or going on interviews, you will have to invest in a good quality business suit, shoes, shirt/blouse, conservative accessories, etc.

Regularly check your college Career Center and on-line services for job opportunities, upcoming events, etc. Attend as many job fairs, career-related events, information sessions, workshops, seminars, alumni events, as possible (both on and off campus).

Be sure your record keeping is up-to-date. Always follow through on all leads, contacts, phone calls.

Start attending as many on-campus events as possible, including career/job fairs, company information sessions, workshops, speaker presentations, etc. Start exploring the job market to see what is out there.

Define your values. Once you start interviewing with companies, you will want a good match with your values and the values of the company. You may not get a perfect match, but you do want a reasonable compromise.

Gather information. Talk to people in the working world. What do they do? Do they like what they do? Would you want to do it? Schedule informational interviews - an excellent way to explore options and expand your network. Research companies you may be interested in.

You will want to purchase good quality matching stationery and envelopes for your resumé and cover letters (white is the preferred color). Also check out:

•  Classifieds

•  Directories

•  Trade Journals

•  Internet/Company Websites

•  On-line job search resources

•  Professional Organizations

•  State employment agencies

•  Search Firms (never pay a fee)

After any interview, send a thank-you letter within 48 hours . Also, send a quick note to anyone who gives you some of their time, a possible lead or contact, even if it was just over the phone - keep all doors open to future possibilities. Proper business etiquette is a MUST .

 

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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