Critical First Job Tips: Key Job Search Advice -- #3

Q-Tips: Critical First Job Tips
Key Job Search Advice -- #3

These job and career-related tips -- for all students and recent grads searching for your first real jobs -- have been gathered from numerous sources throughout Quintessential Careers and organized here for your convenience.

If you've transferred from one college to another -- even if you've done so more than once -- your transfers will have little, if any, effect on how prospective employers view you. The key is your degree, and as long as you are satisfied that the final college you attend is a solid and reputable institution, transferring should not be a big deal. And the only way a potential employer might know you attended several colleges is if you volunteer that information for some reason or a copy of your transcript was requested. There is no reason to list all the colleges you attended on your resume; the only one that matters is the one that grants you a degree.

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Say you've received a job offer and verbally accepted the position. You haven't received a written offer, and then you are offered a much better position -- in fact, your dream job -- with another employer. What do you do? You are under no obligation to the first company -- except to send a "thank you, but no thank you" letter or phone call. But before you send that letter, make sure you have the second offer in writing and are all set. No sense burning bridges until you are absolutely sure. Will there be some hard feelings with the first company? Perhaps, but until you have the offer in writing, you are really under no obligation to that employer. Politely turn down the offer, and try not to end the relationship badly. Ethically, it may not be the best decision you'll make, but don't let that issue stop you from accepting your dream job.

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The value of increasing your reading speed/comprehension and memory applies to just about everybody in the workforce since it helps us be more productive because we're reading every day -- emails, mail, memos, books, says nationally known speaker and author Gary Tuerack. "Anyone who can take in more information in a shorter period of time has the advantage," Tuerack notes in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers, "We're in an information-overload society -- and the winner is the one who can get through, assimilate, and use the information most productively. Most people, however, waste hours by reading slowly, re-reading, mind wandering."

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If you've majored in an area that seems to offer few job opportunities, realize that the most important thing you have going for you is that you have your college degree. While majors and minors play a role in giving you some direction, specialized education, and training in a particular area of study, they do not lock you into one specific career path. And many employers care much more about the degree than the major or minor. First, determine whether you do indeed want to pursue jobs related to your major, and if so, identify appropriate types of jobs.

Check out the University of Delaware Career Center's Major Resource Kit. The kits are offered for many majors. Each resource kit includes such information as: possible job titles, potential employers, print and Web resources, and various other tips and resources. Be proactive in your job search since companies may not necessarily be recruiting grads from your major. Once you've focused on an occupation that utilizes your educational background and skills, be aggressive in contacting potential employers and asking for an interview.

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What can you do with a major in history? Since the latest statistics show that the average person will change careers -- not just jobs -- at least five times over his or her worklife, the most important thing is to finish your college education -- and to fill it with as great a variety of courses as you can so you can be exposed to a variety of skills and experiences. As for history in particular, you can become a government worker or aide, research assistant, lobbyist, journalist, intelligence agent, consumer advocate, foreign service worker, and others.

For more guidance, read Choosing a College Major: How to Chart Your Ideal Path. Also, see how the Internet can help you choose a major at the Choosing a Major portion of our tutorial on Job-Hunting on the Internet.

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Career counselor Michelle Watson offers this advice to jobseekers: "Be assertive. Don't wait for companies to come to you." In the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers, Watson advises: "Follow up on any letter or application you send out, whether it is an open position, or a request for an informational interview. Don't be afraid to use your contacts and connections -- there is always someone else out there who would do so in a second. Create a portfolio of items that demonstrate your skills, and create a company binder of information to take to your interview. Show both! Employers will be impressed with your research and interest. A student I worked with recently just got a prestigious internship offer as a sophomore because she made a company portfolio. She had information that her recruiter didn't even know!"

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Graduated from college but lack experience? Look at what you have you been doing recently. Take a hard look at what you did in college. Part-time jobs and internships are obvious sources valuable work experience, but also examine your college career. Focus on any kind of extracurricular activities you may have participated in as well as the specific assignments and work you completed in your classes. Perhaps you were a member of one or more groups in college. Did you hold any offices or perform any duties as a member? As for your classes, did you complete any large projects and analyses?

Read Fundamentals of a Good Resume, along with a related article on transferable skills. From these two articles, you should be able to build a fairly strong resume, even without a lot of "real-world" experience.

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Interested in becoming a probation officer? While the U.S. Department of Labor seems to put probation officers into the larger grouping of social workers, the California Employment Development Department offers some great information about careers as a probation officer or parole agent. The site includes job descriptions, working conditions, training, salary and advancement, education requirements, etc.

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One of the biggest myths about job-hunting "is that success is related to how many resumes you send out," observed Phil Hey, professor of English and writing at Briar Cliff College, in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers. "To me, this notion is a little like sending a written marriage proposal to every opposite-sex name in the phone book. By contrast, every application should be prepared by careful research, and every application should be tailored and targeted to a specific employer."

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Wondering about the best way to look for employers and positions in the information technology field? It largely depends on how open you are to where the job may be located. If you are open to moving, join a professional organization or professional discussion group on the Internet. Check out Quintessential Careers: General Professional Organizations and Associations for the best sources for finding the right groups.

Search the job postings at the 10 major job sites. Search some of the IT-specific job sites, the best of which can be found at Quintessential Careers: Computer Jobs. These three sources should generate plenty of job leads.

If, however, you are not open to relocating, you need a very different approach. Network on the Net, as described above, but also make a strong effort to network locally. Check local colleges and chambers of commerce for any information on information technology groups in your area. Develop a target list of companies large enough to need your services or are technology-related companies. Develop a list of the IT gurus (VPs, division heads, CIOs) for each of the companies and write them a personalized, targeted cover letter. Then follow-up with phone calls. If you are currently undergoing training, check with the school's placement resources. Also see if any temporary or placement agencies in your area specialize in placing IT professionals.

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The idea of career portfolios is catching on, and Web sites are getting into the act. Career counselor Michelle Watson notes that in the near future "career sites will offer the ability to create career portfolios -- prospective employers will see the candidates references, writing samples, design projects, and the like, on their computer even before a formal face-to-face interview. In the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers, Watson pointed out that Web sites are already beginning this portfolio approach. " Interfolio.com was specifically created for candidates (such as future teachers and graduate school applicants) to place their credentials files online. Other sites, like PerfectAgent.com, allow candidates, as part of their electronic resume, to record audio 'interviews' via the phone. It won't be long before pre-recorded video interview become commonplace, and perhaps even interviews conducted through instant chat/video features."

Editor's note: Read our article, Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace.

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Don't forget that getting a job doesn't finish the job-search process; it is just a rest stop along the journey, advised career consultant Karen Chopra in the Q&A interview she did with Quintessential Careers. "I have had clients find a job only to have the company sold within months, and they were back on the job market again," Chopra points out. "The job market morphs with such rapidity these days that you really shouldn't expect to work at any company for more than a few years. One client commented that he had always been too busy to talk to headhunters who called or to attend industry meetings. After struggling through a lengthy job search, and painstakingly building a network, this client concluded that he would never again ignore networking opportunities, even when he was working. That's the attitude we all need to have, because we never know when we'll be back on the job market."

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Interested in a career that involves animals, wilderness, the outdoors? Go to Quintessential Careers: Volunteering and Nonprofit Career and Job Opportunities. At this site you can find links to Earthwatch, the National Park Service, and other organizations that may offer career opportunities that match your career interests. Many other environmentally oriented groups, such as The Wilderness Society, have their own Web sites, where you may be able to network and search for job opportunities. You should also check out the unusual job listings in our collection of Cool, Unusual, and Seasonal Jobs. Finally, check your college's career office or a local college's career office for leads, especially if one of these schools has an environmental studies department.

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Patrick Combs, author of Major in Success, offers this advice to college students: "Be aware, the most important homework you'll ever do during college will never be assigned. Do the unassigned homework (Fully explained in my book or by any good career counselor)." In the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers, Combs said, "Don't make the single biggest mistake most students will make -- don't let your fears stop/kill you from going for that way cool, totally great, off the beaten path job that no one else has the guts to try for. Screw safety, screw what other people think, screw your major, screw money, and go for the job that, for you, would be sheer bliss."

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When in doubt about prospects for any given career you're considering, go search for information at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. If you're a college student or recent grad, your best bet is talking with your professors, recent alumni, the career placement office, and recruiters who come to your campus.

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Writers get writer's block and sometimes job-hunters get job-hunter's block, especially when they are new to job-hunting. The key is getting focused on what you want to accomplish, which should motivate you to get you on the right path to finding that ideal opportunity for you. A step-by-step plan for job-hunting can help keep you on course. Identify key companies in the geographic areas that interest you. A number of reference books in your local library or university library that list corporations and divisions by location. You could also contact the area chambers of commerce to get that kind of information -- or even track down the phone books. Check out our Quintessential Directory of Company Career Centers.

Once you've identified the companies, contact each company to get a name of a person to whom to send your cover letter and resume. Next, write dynamic cover letters to these people; look here to find some great sample cover letters. Then do the required follow-up. Call the people you wrote to about 10 days later and request an interview. Be prepared for some rejection. While the cold-contact method is much more successful than responding to want ads and job listings, you will still get numerous rejections.

However, you should also consider scheduling informational interviews with the firms that tell you they have no openings; this networking technique often leads to other job interviews. See our Informational Interviewing Tutorial for more information.

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Good writing skills are a strong way to support your career success, advised Phil Hey, professor of English and writing at Briar Cliff College, in the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers. For example:

Your bosses will know that you represent the company well in public view.
Good writing physically represents good thinking, planning and organization.
A good letter or report can become a model for other employees to follow.
A good report is one of the best and commonest ways to be recognized from above."

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Disabled and trying to find a job? While there are a few sites on the Web for disabled workers -- there is a list of them at Quintessential Careers -- your best bet may be looking in the phone book for your community's social service organizations and contacting them about programs. If you live in or near a major metropolitan area, there are probably several large employers that you should target. Once you have identified the companies, contact the human resources offices and see about job openings.

Also read our article, Job-seeking Strategy for Differently-abled Candidates.

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Want three best pieces of advice for someone fresh out of college starting a resume? First, get a hold of as many resumes of recent college graduates as you can get your hands on. Looking at these resumes will help you decide what you want to do with your resume. Your college's career services office should be able to show you samples.

Second, get some expert advice. Again, you can start with your college's career services office, which probably has handouts and books on resumes. Visit some resume Web sites. Quintessential Careers has a list of the best resume sites. Consider buying a book on resumes or borrowing one from the library. A good one for recent grads is Resumes for College Students and Recent Graduates (VGM), but there are plenty of others.

Third, remember the purpose of your resume as you are writing it. A resume is a document that describes your work experience, your education (and any special training you have), and your skills. What makes an excellent resume, however, is marketing. You have to consider yourself a product, with the employer as the buyer. Why should the employer buy (hire) you? Your resume is a key marketing tool in your employment search. You can learn more about resumes -- as well as the keys to a successful job search -- by reading The Domino Effect.

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Whom should you ask to serve as your references? For recent college graduates, the ideal sources of references would be:

College professors. Any professors you have worked closely with, had for several classes, or was an adviser to an organization you belonged to would make a great reference.
College administrators. Any management-level administrators who you worked closely with would make a great reference.
Internship/volunteer work supervisors. Anyone who has supervised your actual work patterns would make an ideal reference.
Former employment supervisors. As long as your employment was not too long ago, those people who supervised your work -- even if the work was waitressing or working in retail -- would be good references.
Character references. Anyone who can discuss your character as a person, such as a family friend, athletic coach, clergy person, etc., would make a good reference.

Some other comments about references: Requesting that people serve as your references is much better than asking them to write a generic letter of recommendation, which many employers discount (because anyone who who like a recommendation letter for you would say only good things about you, so the letter isn't especially credible). To list a reference, you simply need the name (with correct spelling), title, and contact information for each person who is willing to be a reference. Then let employers contact the people directly. Finally, never put actual references on your resume. Submit a separate piece of paper (that matches your resume format) that lists your references -- and make sure the people you list know they will be on your reference list.

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The best kept secret in job-hunting, according to author Jeffrey Fox, is that the people who hire do so on essentially two criteria: (1) will this person make us more money than it costs to recruit, hire, train, and outfit; and (2) do we like the person. In the Q&A interview he did with Quintessential Careers, Fox observed: "People buy anything for only two reasons: to solve a problem or to feel good. If the job-seeker solves the hiring organization's problem, and he or she is likable, the chances of getting hired are high."

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For psychology majors with an interest in business, the list of job possibilities is almost endless. Business uses many psychological theories, from management to marketing. You can find out more by going to Quintessential Careers Career Exploration and using one of the career resources, such as Ashland University's What Can I do with a Major in .... ? and click on "psychology" to download a .pdf document. These sites will give you a broad range of jobs and career paths.

Also, get some experience. You can get an internship in an area of business that interests you. The internship will help solidify your decision about a career in business and will give you the much needed experience that most employers are looking for -- even from recent college graduates.

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Increasingly, employers are demanding experience from all job-seekers, including those "entry-level" positions that college grads fill. Why the trend? Because these so-called entry-level jobs are no longer training positions; employers want employees who can make an impact from day one. What can you do about it? Position yourself as having the key skills that employers seek in job candidates. Identify those key skills you gained from your educational experience as well as from those odd jobs while in college. And don't put down those odd jobs; while they may not have been in your field, you still gained valuable business skills and experience while working them. Read about these transferable skills -- and how college grads especially can take advantage of them -- in our growing section on transferable skills at Quintessential Careers. Once you've identified those transferable skill sets that you have mastered, you can then go about developing a new resume. Then read our article, Should You Consider a Functional Resume?

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Students earning bachelor's degrees in anthropology can do any number of things related specifically to their major, including: anthropologist, archeologist, analyst, researcher, teacher, and many others. You can find loads more information at one of our favorite sites for students, the what can I do with a major in anthropology section of the "What Can I do With a Major in..." from the Career Services staff at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. You can find all sorts of this type of career information in the Career Exploration section of Quintessential Careers.

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How long can you safely take between receiving a job offer and accepting or declining a job? You usually establish the timetable when the offer is presented. Employers always want to know sooner than later -- mainly because they want to conclude the search, but also because they don't want to keep their other candidates dangling for too long in case you turn down the offer and they have to go to their next-choice candidate. If you were not given a timeframe, reply in some fashion within a week. Even if you feel you need more time to make a decision, it's best to reconnect with the hiring manager by calling him or her to request the time. If you wait too long, the employer will probably just assume you are no longer interested and move on to candidate #2, leaving you out in the cold. A final issue to consider. If you need a long time to make a decision about the offer, it's probably not the right job for you. In theory, by the time an employer makes an offer, you should have a pretty good idea about whether you would want to work at the company or not. What's stopping you? Are you waiting for another job offer? Are you not sure you want to make the change? Was the offer lower than you expected? Take some time to consider why you seem hesitant.

Find even more job-search advice and tips in Critical First Job Tips: Key Job Search Advice -- #4.

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

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Q-Tips: Critical First Job Tips Key Job Search Advice -- #3

Review all our Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips.

Maximize your career and job-search knowledge and skills! Take advantage of The Quintessential Careers Content Index, which enables site visitors to locate articles, tutorials, quizzes, and worksheets in 35 career, college, job-search topic areas.

Q-Tips: Critical First Job Tips
Key Job Search Advice -- #3