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Taking the Work Out of Looking for Work

Finally you’re emancipated from the rigors of academia. Degree in hand, you set out on the road to the career of your dreams and hit a road block before you’ve gone a tenth of a mile. You thought companies would be clamoring to hire you. Instead they ask you to tell them about your work experience. You ask yourself, “How in the world do they expect me to have experience when I’ve spent the last several years in school?”

If you are in still school or have recently graduated, you can start preparing for tomorrow, today. Here are a few easy tips to put you in the drivers seat:

Start early…

Gain experience through internships or volunteering with organization that is in line with your professional goals. Ann Curry, Dateline and Today show anchor got her big break by volunteering to assist a very pregnant local TV producer before and after work hours. When the producer decided to resign Ms. Curry had learned so much about the position that she was recommended for the position.

Build your network…

Take advantage of business associations and networking organizations. Networking for Job Search and Career Success by L. Michele Tullier, Ph.D has an extensive list of professional and trade associations. Here are a few to get you started

• Junior Chamber of Commerce
• Networking for Professionals
• Toastmasters
• International Trade Administration
• American Marketing Association
• American Management Association

Tap into the hidden job market…

The information highway is the road to bringing your job search to a screeching halt. Instead of wasting countless hours applying to opportunities that hundreds of candidates have already applied to use a hands on approach. You will be more effective by:

• Telling EVERYONE you know that you are in a job search.
• Send a targeted mailing to hiring managers in companies which you are interested in working for.
• Get an audience with hiring managers by asking for an information interview instead of a job interview.
• Scour newspapers and journals for news of new companies opening in your area.