Graduating With A Plan of Action

Congratulations, you've just graduated with a degreethem out at a moment's notice. Join an organization
in your chosen field.So what's your next step goingto become acquainted with people in your industry,
to be to launch your long-anticipated career?Like aattend career fairs, become affiliated with recruiters,
young racehorse at the starting gate, you have tonsand research companies online (post your
of energy and determination, and are anxious to getrésumé at their websites), at the library,
out there and seize new career opportunities. But areand even in the yellow pages to get leads to mail
you ready? Do you know what you need to do? Doyour résumé and cover letter. This last
you have a plan of action to turn those opportunitiesapproach is a great strategy. Let's say you recently
into a reality? If you don't, you will need to getgraduated with your Masters in Social Work. You can
one.I'm sure you've heard the old adage that theopen your yellow pages to Adoption Agencies to
quickest route from point A to point B is a straightacquire the mailing addresses of several social service
line. Well, launching your career is no different inagencies. Be sure to call the receptionist first to
terms of setting your job search goals and carryingrequest the proper name, title, and department of
them out diligently and methodically You might have athe contact to send your résumé and
few corners to navigate, but you should do yourcover letter. Other strategies include creating a web
best to avoid deviating from your goal as much asrésumé so people can view your
possible.One of the first things you need to decide isformatted, interactive resume online. If you don't
what type of job interests you the most. Dependingknow how to do this, research how or hire someone
on what your degree is, there might be manyto do it for you. Be sure to have business cards
positions in your field to consider. For example, if youmade and add your web résumé address
are a graduate nurse you can work in a hospital,to it!Another great way to get started is to temp for
clinic, nursing home, childcare center, school, privatea while. If you do decide to temp, be selective. You
practice, or field setting. Then, within those settingsshould only work for the best companies in your field
you can work within various units such asto get the very best experience possible. It is also a
medical-surgical, pediatrics, and maternity. Then theregreat way to prove yourself as a favorable
are transitional opportunities.Let's say you tried yourcandidate for a permanent position. Don't temp for
hand at nursing and realized it was not what youtoo long because it might cause a potential employer
expected. You can always consider pharmaceuticalto wonder why you haven't secured a permanent
sales as a new career. Some fields, such as businessposition for a certain length of time. If during an
management, are even more flexible. The key is tointerview you are asked why you temped,
decide which direction you are headed towards andconfidently state that you chose to temp to gain
learn as much about that field as you possiblewell-rounded experience in your field. Don't apologize
can.Okay, you hate to admit it, but you spent all offor anything!No matter what your plan of action is,
that time and money, but you're still not sure whatbe sure to keep organized notes and track every
you want to do. You have an idea about what youmove you make. Prepare a list of names, company
might want to do, but it's just not clear yet. None ofnames, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers,
the possibilities you've explored get you excited. Inemail addresses, and website addresses. Keep the list
fact, you're feeling downright frustrated andnear the phone of every company you sent your
depressed. Don't worry. It really isn't that bad. Keeprésumé and cover letter. That way you
in mind that you don't have to start at the top, andwill know whom you are speaking with when they
don't have to commit yourself to an employer. Socall to extend an initial or follow up interview. This is
don't put so much pressure on yourself. Maybe youespecially important if you are going on several
just need to get your foot in the door somewhereinterviews. If you are not organized, you will get
to test the waters before you decide to go fullconfused and seem unprofessional. You will want to
steam ahead. You might even want to spend themake a great first impression from the very
first year to discover what it is that you really wantbeginning, starting with a great résumé
to do. That way your mind will be open to possibilitiesand cover letter. If you have your baby sister's cute
and you will have a positive attitude. Just don't wastelittle voice or a musical greeting on your answering
time. Set weekly goals. Use that year to WORK atmachine, replace it with a professional message that
finding out what you want to do. Then prepare to dosays," You have reached John Smith at 555-5555. I
it - and do it well.If you want to explore your careeram not available at this time. Please leave your name
without the assistance of a job coach or careerand reason for calling. I will return your call as soon as
counselor, a good way to start is to conduct somepossible. Have a great day!" If your email address is ,
independent research. Let's assume your degree in isbe sure to change it to If you are on the road all of
law enforcement or criminal justice. You will need tothe time, or if members of your family do not speak
decide if you want to work in corporate security orEnglish, get a cell phone so you can be reached
private investigation. But how do you decide? Well, ifanytime, anywhere. List that number as your only
your college's career center cannot provide you withnumber without the word "cell" listed on your
specific information, visit Occupational Outlookrésumé. If you list both your home
Handbook online ( to get an overview of variousnumber and your cell number, then indicate which
positions in your field. Join industry specific chatnumber is your home number and which number is
rooms to see what everyone is talking about. Go toyour cell number. They will probably call your home
the websites of various companies. Get involved innumber first. If you have a lot of friends who call
conversations. Ask lots of questions. Get advice fromyou on your cell, be on guard to answer your cell
friends, family members, and neighbors. Ask themphone professionally. If you are going on an
what they do and how they got started.If you areinterview, leave your cell phone in your glove
not sure if a particular area of your industry is rightcompartment. You don't want your cell phone to ring
for you, call or write professionals already in positionsin the middle of the interview.Be prepared and on
of interest to request an information interview. Antime for the interview, if not early. Make sure you
information interview will allow you the opportunity tohave several outfits to wear to go on several
question a professional about the nature andinterviews in a week's time so you don't stress. Make
requirements of a position. Some people will not besure you dress appropriately for your interview. You
available, whereas other people will welcome thecan't go wrong if you are conservative. If it is a
opportunity to give you fifteen minutes of their time.creative industry, you can dress with more flair or
If someone avoids you, don't take it personally. Justeven casual, but don't dress too crazy. Have extra
move on to the next possible contact. Once yourésumés handy (don't bring your cover
make a connection, you will need to be polite,letter) to give to the hiring manager so he/she can
organized, and demonstrate exceptionaldistribute them to other managers without having to
professionalism and communication skills. During yourmake copies. Practice your interviewing technique.
information interview, remember to take detailedAsk a friend to role-play with you. Get a book with
notes. When you are done, thank themcommonly asked interview questions. In addition to
wholeheartedly for their time. Be sure to get their fulllearning what to say, you need to learn what not to
name and contact information so you can send themsay and what not to do. Send out thank you letters
a follow-up thank you letter. They might even havewithin 24-hours that mention something important
an opening, so be sure to make a gooddiscussed in the interview keeping the position in mind
impression.Once you have narrowed it down, haveat all times and reiterating your strengths.Above all,
your résumé developed professionallybe professional in behavior and appearance,
and post it on major job boards, such asknowledgeable, enthusiastic, organized, interested in
monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and to see whatthe company and position (have about ten questions
contacts can be made. While you are there, searchto ask them that have nothing to do with you), and
job openings to glean what the job descriptions aretry your best to be interesting when you talk about
so you can see what will be expected of you. Youryour experiences, regardless how limited they may
résumé writer will probably want you tobe. If you are nervous, keep in mind that you are
do that anyway so they can get a good idea of theinterviewing them, too. You don't want to work for
jobs you are interested in to ensure yourjust anyone, do you? Be sure to convey that. You
résumé is very targeted. Be proactivedon't have to be arrogant about it, but you should
and tell your résumé writer that youcome across as a commodity, not as a desperate,
have done that and would like to share thatnervous job seeker. If you think like that, your
information with them.Okay, so now you know whatconfidence will shine through naturally because you
you want to do and you have a greatwill feel good about yourself and will be ready for
résumé and cover letter. Now what?anything! Before long, you'll be launching your career.
You've probably heard how important networking is -Good luck!Ann Baehr is a Certified Professional
that it's not what you know but who you know.Resume Writer and President of Best Resumes of
Well, that's not always the case; but knowing theNew York. Notable credentials include her role as
right person sure can't hurt. With that in mind, letformer Second Vice President of the National
everyone you come in contact with know you areResume Writers' Association and published contributor
looking for a job. Be sure to keep yourto over twenty resume and cover letter books by
résumé updated and in your carMcGraw-Hill, Jist Publishers, and Adams Media.
(protected from spills and creasing) so you can hand