From Career Services Corner: How to succeed after graduation
Marcelle Stoppay
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: News
In an effort to share her experiences for a successful job search, director of career services, Joan Welker, presented "How to conduct a Job Search" on Feb. 9.
1.Start with self-assessment
To begin a successful job search, you must start with a self-assessment. Know what you like to do and what you are good at.
What special skills do you have that will make you a good candidate for the position?
Also consider what is important to you. Do you like to be outdoors or inside?
Do you want a job that allows you to be creative or do you prefer repetition? Know what makes you happy.
Assess your experience in the field you are interested in. What academic preparation do you have?
Explain what you have gained from class assignments, summer jobs or internships.
You might also benefit from volunteer work or campus employment. Have you gained organizational or leadership skills through your involvement?
2. Search for job descriptions and qualifications required
Next research and explore your career options. Using the career services library or online resources, find job descriptions, qualifications and requirements for various positions.
3. Shadow a professional to test-drive your career
Attend informational interviews or shadow a professional to test-drive potential careers. Volunteering or part-time employment will also give you direction into what you like and what you don't like doing.
"Those first two steps, self assessment and researching and exploring career options, should be done well before it's time to begin a job search," said Welker. "Unfortunately, I see seniors every year who are getting ready to graduate and haven't started the process."
4. Identify your employer
Step three involved identifying and targeting the employers that you would be interested in working for. Define your ideal employer. Know what aspects of a career are important to you.
5. Be ready to move where the jobs are located
1.Start with self-assessment
To begin a successful job search, you must start with a self-assessment. Know what you like to do and what you are good at.
What special skills do you have that will make you a good candidate for the position?
Also consider what is important to you. Do you like to be outdoors or inside?
Do you want a job that allows you to be creative or do you prefer repetition? Know what makes you happy.
Assess your experience in the field you are interested in. What academic preparation do you have?
Explain what you have gained from class assignments, summer jobs or internships.
You might also benefit from volunteer work or campus employment. Have you gained organizational or leadership skills through your involvement?
2. Search for job descriptions and qualifications required
Next research and explore your career options. Using the career services library or online resources, find job descriptions, qualifications and requirements for various positions.
3. Shadow a professional to test-drive your career
Attend informational interviews or shadow a professional to test-drive potential careers. Volunteering or part-time employment will also give you direction into what you like and what you don't like doing.
"Those first two steps, self assessment and researching and exploring career options, should be done well before it's time to begin a job search," said Welker. "Unfortunately, I see seniors every year who are getting ready to graduate and haven't started the process."
4. Identify your employer
Step three involved identifying and targeting the employers that you would be interested in working for. Define your ideal employer. Know what aspects of a career are important to you.
5. Be ready to move where the jobs are located
Be the first to comment on this story