Remember When…

You were a junior or senior in high school and you were selecting which colleges to apply to and then going through the process? You had;

• A general idea of what you wanted to do
• Preferences on type of college (location, size, reputation, etc.)
• Knowledge of what was needed to apply
• Understanding of what was needed to get accepted
• Back up plans
• Support and Resources;
  • Guidance Counselor
  • SAT Tutor
  • College planner
  • Parents and friends

Well, your entry level job search is no different. You may or may not have a handle on what industry and job function you are targeting. You may want to live in a big city or stay in your hometown. You may have a definite preference on the size of the company you would like to join.

Gaining an understanding of the job search process and what is needed to get hired can get trickier. If you thought getting accepted at one college and then rejected at another was confusing there are a lot more personalities and departments involved in a hiring decision. Take advantage of all the support and resources you can find. For the job search process this involves professors, career centers, parents, strong networks and professional consultants.

Back up plans may involve living home while conducting your search. It also includes untraditional jobs; internships, freelancing, contracting and any other means of increasing your skill set and experience while finding that full time permanent position.