It’s getting to be that time again when the semester starts to come to a close, finals quickly approach and another class of bright, eager seniors prepare to face “the real world.” Some already have it all planned out; others are still unsure.
For those of you that haven’t landed that dream job yet, here are some helpful hints and places that can help. If you haven’t been to the Career Advising Center yet, maybe it’s time you paid the nice people there a visit. (It’s the little brown building across the street from the library called Bagley House). They have a fairly new program there called Choices 2002 that contains on-line checklists to help you find out which job is right for you, detailed descriptions of occupations, resume building software, available jobs and information about graduate schools. Another on-line source used there is PSCcareers.com, a link to a program that lets students post their resumes and search regional and national databases with listings of part and full-time jobs.
The staff there can also help with graduate school planning and help you revise and improve your resume. Other on-line sources include: www.monster.com: Here you can search jobs, post your resume and get career advice. www.careerbuilder.com: Search job listings and post your resume. www.jobs.com: This site lets you search jobs by career level or category, post your resume and gives you links to monster.com and flipdog.com. www.hotjobs-.com: This site contains a job search, career tools and resume posting. www.dice.com: This site lists jobs in the technology field. www.computerjobs.com: Designed for computer people, here you can post your resume and search jobs by city and state. Here are some ways that you can improve your job search from Roberta ChinskyMatuson, a writer from Monster:
-Set realistic expectation
-Review your resume and ask others for their suggestions and improvements.
-After tiring yourself with search after search, give yourself a break from the stress.
Robb Krecklow, publisher of The Independent based in Nebraska, has some advice for new grads that are about to face new experiences:
1. Do your homework. Read newspapers and keep up to date on current events. Learnfrom others and develop your own skills.
2. Solve problems. You will encounter many problems in the workplace. Identify the
problem and find ways to solve it. Take that skill with you out of the classroom.
3. Get on a team. Don’t overlook teamwork. Become part of the “network” in your workplace.
4. Ask questions. Be curious. Remember what your teachers said about the only dumb question? It’s the one not asked.
5. Enjoy the experience. Make friends. Challenge yourself. You worked hard to be where you are now.
David Gordon, president of Gordon Communications in IL has some tips for the new employ
1. Learn to set goals.
2. Put in long days.
3. Learn proper meeting behavior.
4. Dress appropriately.
5. Limit personal phone calls.
6. Learn how to get things done.
7. Know how to handle work overloads.
8. Form effective relationships at work.
9. Accept that you won’t like every task.
10. Accept responsibility for mistakes.
11. Reduce stress by balancing your life.
Finding a job is no easy task. It’s hard enough packing up everything and leavingthe place you’ve called home for four years. Your life is about to change forever but you are finally getting the chance to go out and do what you have been preparing for. Remember all of the hard work that put in and all of the experiences that you have had along the way. You leave behind old friends and memories that will last forever, and set out to make new ones. Good luck to everyone that is graduating.
May all of your searches be successful and your careers everything that you hopedthey’d be (like it really happens that way?!).