Deciding to seek one or more graduate degrees is a major
commitment of time and money; a decision not to take lightly.
You will face several years of intense work and research --
a much more demanding course load than in your undergraduate
program.
Before deciding your next step, take
the time to answer Dr. Randall S. Hansen's five questions.
Dr. Hansen's article also features a 16-point checklist of
criteria for choosing a graduate program.
Find out everything you need to know to decide whether to
go to grad school by reading the entire article.
It's not surprising to learn that Nice Job was originally
conceived as a humor book. The book's whimsical style has
the power to keep a smile on the face of any reader.
But Nice Job is more than amusing. On two online
discussion groups for career counselors, anytime a question
is raised about helping a student or client hone in on an
unconventional career field, this book is always high atop
the list of suggestions.
Each year, students obtain interesting, substantive,
and career-related summer jobs and internships. The key to
their success is preparation and an early start in the job-search
process. The search for an
internship or summer job should be
conducted in the same manner.
Founded as CollegeGate in 1997 by Geoff Cook for
the Harvard Student Agency Entrepreneurial Contest,
EssayEdge.com describes itself as "a supersource for
admissions essay advising and a one-stop-shop
for applicants seeking to make their essays awesome!"
EssayEdge is the world's largest application essay
editing company. EssayEdge subscribers enjoy free access
to pages and pages of essay-writing and admissions tips
and free access to more than 100 sample application essays.
The site's Harvard-educated editors have all undergone an
extensive selection process.
Recognizing that many teachers and guidance counselors
have not been appropriately trained in application essay
writing, EssayEdge.com's Web site says the company "seeks
to make top-notch essay advising available to all students.
By charging low prices and by maintaining a commitment to
quality, EssayEdge.com has grown to be the top
admissions essay-editing site."
Harvard-educated essayists edit and
critique all essays. Standard critiques include
a detailed (often 1-2 page long) analysis suggesting
improvements and rating the essay's effectiveness.
Academic Careers Online
-- includes full-time and adjunct teaching and administrative jobs ranging from pre-kindergarten through colleges
and universities around the world. Job-seekers can search for jobs and post your resume, as well as subscribe to
Smart Agent, an email job matching program. Free to job-seekers.
Georgia Careers
-- a career and recruiting site for the state of Georgia. Job-seekers can post your resume and search for
jobs by employer, keywords, location, category, and job class. Includes the Personal Career Agent,
an email matching service. From LocalCareers.com. Free to job-seekers.
MBA Jungle
-- the companion Website for the print magazine, MBA Jungle. Lots of great resources for job-seekers
considering an MBA, as well as insightful career articles and resources for those with an MBA. Free to job-seekers.
6FigureJobsMBA
-- limited to current MBA students and recent graduates of the top business schools. Job-seekers can submit your
resume, search for jobs, and research employers. Membership required for access to all resources. From the folks at
6FigureJobs.com, a top executive job site. Free to qualified job-seekers.
Find even more additions to Quintessential Careers by visiting our
Latest
Additions section.
Keshia writes: "I am strongly considering going back to
school to obtain my graduate degree. I would love to
become a college professor and teach something like
literature classes or women's studies.
"I have my undergraduate degree in Journalism,
and I don't really know where to start.
"What classes or tests will I need to pursue this option?"
Michelle writes: I have been planning ever since
I can remember to be an orthodontist. My school
does not offer a pre-dentistry major. So I am majoring
in anthropology and taking a pre-dentistry pathway.
I am afraid that I will not get into dental school.
What other careers could I do with an anthropology degree?
Erica writes: "I am 5 months pregnant and have been trying
to switch career fields for several months. I have been
conducting a selective search without luck and am concerned
about getting hired now that I am visibly pregnant.
Do you recommend that I am
upfront about my pregnancy
in an interview? Or are my chances of being hired so
slim that I should just stick it out at my current position
until after my maternity leave. I am well aware of the
sexual and pregnancy discrimination laws, but what are my
chances of being hired when I will need 8-12 weeks off
in a few months?"
John writes: "I have gotten nowhere in my job search.
I have tried everything I could think of and every idea
I could find in books and on the Internet. None of it
has worked -- I don't even get telephone interviews.
"Is there some sort of blacklist keeping me from being considered?
"I've tried resumes that are functional, chronological,
contain lots of jargon, no jargon, tailored, and generic.
I've tried no cover letters, form letters, tailored letters,
and various formats. I've tried networking -- if I can get
a name of the hiring manager -- which is not often."
Q TIPS: Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
Recruiting Trends reports that federal agencies may
now use student loan repayment as a recruitment incentive.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has authorized
repayment of up to $6,000 per person per year up to a total
maximum loan repayment of $40,000. Janice R. Lachance, OPM
director, says, "OPM is committed to meeting this challenge
using innovative and flexible new tools. This new regulation
gives agencies a tool similar to ones used by the private sector."
College students and recent graduates still feel that they are
in the driver's seat when it comes to finding employment.
In fact, 30 percent of students expect to have four or more job
offers by the time they graduate, according to the results of a survey
released by Jobtrak.com, which was recently acquired by Monster.com.
More than 1,000 college students and recent graduates responded to the
question, "How many job offers do you expect to have when you graduate?"
Twenty-three percent expected no offers; 10 percent expected one;
20 percent expected two; 17 percent expected three; and 30 percent expected
four or more.
College career counselors contacted by Jobtrak noted that graduating
seniors do not seem to perceive a job slowdown and seem as optimistic
about the job market as they did a year ago.
If you are a new grad or other jobseeker who is
a little freaked out by the number of interviews required
of you in the typical hiring process, be aware that most
companies interview candidates two to three and sometimes
four times before offering a job. Notes Diana LeGere of Executive
Final Copy, "The more money you make, the longer
the process. Relax! You should actually do much better on the next
two or three. After all, you feel great! Who wouldn't feel
magnificent after putting his or her best foot forward? You are being
considered for a wonderful new position. The initial screening
interviews were just enough practice to get you calm and feeling on
top of the world. Go back to your notes, study, rehearse and know
your lines. The next opportunity is likely to be in front of the top
echelon of the company. That's exciting because he or she is the
decision-maker."
-- This Q Tip courtesy of Diana C. LeGere
president of Executive
Final Copy and the employment coordinator for
Greenbacks Bringing Hope Foundation in Salt Lake City, UT.
Quintessential
Career Profiles: Tell Your Story!
Quintessential Career Profiles features QuintZine
readers and visitors to Quintessential Careers
who have interesting career stories.
Did you obtain a job in an unusual way? Has
your career path been out of the ordinary?
Have you held one or more unusual jobs? Has
your job search been especially troublesome,
inspirational, or remarkable? We'd like to
tell your story. Tell us a little about your
career saga, and we may contact you for a
full profile. Write us at
kathy@quintcareers.com
and let us know about you.
QuintZine: Topics in Upcoming Issues
WATCH FOR feature articles on these topics in upcoming
issues of QuintZine:
* Case-based interviews
* Phone etiquette in the job hunt
* Guide to the company visit
* Researching your next job
* Letters of recommendation and references
* Career Portfolios
* How to handle a request for a salary history
* How to land an internship
* How to get a promotion
* Should you get an MBA?
* 10 easy ways to improve your resume
* Older workers and age discrimination
* Cover letter specifics
* The value of a college education
* Networking timetable for college students
* The vital role of the college career services office
* Using key marketing tools to positions yourself in the job market
* Quintessential Career Profiles of YOU, our readers
* Q&As with well-known career experts
. . . and much, much more!
Don't ever want to miss another issue of QuintZine? Get a free subscription to
the email version of QuintZine by completing our
subscription form.
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RESUMES * JOB SEARCH CORRESPONDENCE FROM TRUSTED EXPERTS * COVER LETTERS
We create resumes,
cover letters, curriculum vitae, thank-you and
follow-up letters, and list-formatted documents,
such as salary histories and reference lists.
We also can provide critiques and makeovers of
your resume or cover letter. Credit cards accepted.
Check out Quintessential Resumes
and Cover Letters!
QuintZine
A publication of
Quintessential Careers
Publisher: Dr. Randall S. Hansen
Editor: Katharine Hansen
ISSN: 1528-9443
