In certain fields and in some parts of the country, jobs are harder to get than they were a few years ago. This adds another dimension to the already complex process of obtaining a first job or a new position. Here are some things you could do to increase your career prospects:
Talk With Advisors
Review your situation periodically with
career advisors, including some that you may not have previously used.
Be sure to check bulletin boards and publications from academic departments
and the Career Services Office to find new leads.
Research Employers
Today's competitive job market requires
researching potential employers very carefully. This will allow you
to more accurately relate the information on your application to employer
needs. Furthermore, it will help you to demonstrate your strong interest
in the employer. Ultimately, a deep knowledge and understanding of
an employer can separate you from all the other candidates and provide a
competitive edge in the market in general.
Review Your Job Search Strategies
Are you making the most of every job
lead? In most cases, there are multiple applicants for a single position.
Therefore, you need to be sure that all of your documents (resume, cover
letter, etc.) are error free and give a detailed and accurate description
of your candidacy. Ask others to critique your documents, attend workshops
on job search skills, and participate in informational and mock-interviews.
Use a Temporary Job Service
More and more employers are utilizing
temporary services to recruit staff for peak periods or to avoid the commitment
that goes with normal hires. Temporary jobs pay you money, will help
you learn more about the world of work, and may even help you meet a prospective
employer.
Take Any Job You Can Get to Move
in Under the Tent
Consider taking any job in an organization
or field that interests you, even if it is not at the level for which you
are prepared. Once you get inside an organization, you may make friends
with people who can help you move up.
Consider Small Employers
In 1990, two-thirds of all newly created
jobs were with small organizations (those with under 100 employees).
Many job seekers focus only on large organizations, thereby missing two-thirds
of the potential job opportunities. Identify small organizations likely
to have the kinds of positions which interest you.
Think About Moving to a New Area
Economic conditions are not the same
all over the country. Read financial and other publications to help
identify cities or states where jobs may be more plentiful. You might
learn valuable information by subscribing to one or two out-of-state newspapers
and checking the classified ads. Newspapers are also valuable in the
sense that they can provide housing and regional information regarding employment
and living conditions.
Volunteer Your Services
Ask to work, without pay, particularly
if you like an organization or field. Volunteers who do well may receive
consideration when hiring does occur or you may make yourself indispensable
by the quality of your work. Hint: If you do volunteer, you
should strive to get placed in a job which provides relative experience.
Interview For Information
Arrange appointments with employers
and others in fields which interest you. Ask about the status of the
field, employment trends, and suggestions for additional contacts.
This will help to make you a more informed, better candidate and you may
learn of potential employers.
Go On For Additional Education
If jobs are tight in your field, do
career advisors recommend additional training or advanced degrees to strengthen
your qualifications? If so, it would be to your advantage to continue
in your education to make you more marketable and valuable to an organization.
(Do research on graduate and professional schools.)
Do Not Overlook Former Employers
Past employers may have a temporary
or regular job, or need help with a special project. By hiring you,
the employer can eliminate much of the orientation required of most new
employees.
Check Out Jobs With Family Businesses
Do you have relatives or friends who
operate businesses? Are there jobs which might interest you, or at
least provide work? Keeping busy is almost as important as being on
a regular payroll. Think beyond your immediate family and the activities
run by cousins, uncles, aunts, etc.
Consider Self-Employment
Perhaps your focus of looking for someone
to work for does not suit your personal and professional needs. If
you have considered working as a consultant, author, or any other independent
position, it may be in your best interests to research self-employment options.
Cash In On Contacts
This is the time when friends from school,
colleagues from former jobs, family, friends, and others should be considered
as part of your network. Contact them for ideas, or maybe encouragement,
but do not lean too hard.
Search the Internet
The Internet has valuable information
about employment opportunities, employer information, statistics, resume
posting resources, and much more. You can gain access to these sites
by doing a search through web browsers such as Yahoo!
and Excite or visit the following Central
Michigan University Career Services Web Pages:
* Career Information
* College and University Information
* Hotlinks
* Job Search Via the Internet
* Internship Information
* Resume Guidelines
| Source: |
| CMU Career Services' Home Page |
| Central Michigan University's Home Page |
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