Now that graduation is on the near horizon, your search for a full-time career position is front and center. You are facing a transition from college to a professional work environment. It's important to exploit all the career services and resources available from your college or university while you are still on campus! And it's equally important not to feel intimidated or overwhelmed with either the methods or the prospects. These broad-sweeping and guiding principles for your senior year will help you navigate a five-step career process and launch an effective job search campaign:

• Plan ahead and set reasonable career goals for yourself. Campus interviews, job listings, and campus career fairs will help you identify prospective employers and career positions.
• Confirm your remaining degree requirements at the beginning of the year so there are no "surprises" when it comes time to graduate.
• Start asking these questions: "What types of jobs are available?" "How do I find the job that's right for me?"
• Discover the ABC's of a successful job search by attending workshops at your campus career center. Consult with a career counselor.
• Prepare for your first job. Talk with alumni about their first year on the job and some of the challenges you can expect.
• Use your contacts to identify job opportunities and get referrals.
• Exploit all opportunities. Attend career fairs and employer presentations.

Step I: Getting to Know Yourself
There's a big difference between getting a job and reaching a career destination where you love what you do! The first step toward self-discovery is one that you will repeat many times in your life: an inventory of your interests, values, personal style and skills. Even if you have a good idea of what you want to do, self-assessment is vital to writing a resume and doing well in an interview. For a discussion of self-assessment see "Self-Assessment: Knowing Yourself and What You Want to Do" in this issue.

Visit your campus career center to learn how you can conduct a thorough in-depth self-assessment. There are many exercises and on-line tools that can help you identify your most marketable skills and attributes, define your career values and interests, and understand your competencies, strengths and weaknesses.

Step II: Understanding Careers
Now that you know yourself, you're ready to move on to the next question: "What kind of work do I want to do and where do I want to do it?" The following is a checklist of things to do that can increase your general understanding of careers and organizations:

• Find out where people who have your skills, interests, personality, values and needs work. Conduct informational interviews to learn how and why they do what they do.
• Pinpoint what types of industries and companies are looking for someone with your skills and capabilities. Is a graduate degree required?
• Think about job titles with characteristics that match your self-assessment. You can get ideas from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
• Consider your ideal work environment. Do you prefer a large corporation, small business or start-up? A government, nonprofit organization or educational institution?
• Conduct informational interviews with people who are already working in career fields you're considering. Keep an open mind. Envision new and previously unimaginable career possibilities. .Assess your on-the-job experience through internships and summer jobs.
• Research geographic areas where you would like to live and work. Do you prefer an urban, suburban or rural setting?
• Become a frequent visitor to your campus career center and its website. Read about careers, job trends, salary information, work environments and qualifications. Once you begin the application process, you will focus your research more specifically on the companies and the positions you are targeting.
• Know the Industry, Organization, and Position - Candidates who know the employer's business and the requirements of the position are the ones most likely to make it to a second round of interviews.
• Industry research helps you understand typical career paths, identify appropriate level positions, and gather information about salaries and working conditions in your field of interest. It helps you get to know the competition, rank, and reputation of different companies in the field.
• Company research will help you prepare appropriate points to emphasize and questions to ask. Things you should understand before you begin interviewing include information about the company's core business and culture, and why you are interested in interviewing with the firm. Learning about the company's financial status can help determine the company's stability (an important consideration when evaluating job offers). Ideally, before you interview with any company; you should know at least the following: the company's mission, products and services, sales volume, locations, divisions & affiliations, and plans for expansion.
• Position research provides valuable clues to the kinds of questions you'll be asked in interviews. The better you understand the position, the better you will be able to communicate your interest in the job and evaluate its impact on your immediate and long-term career goals.

Step III: Develop Your Job Search Tools: Resumes & Correspondence
A. Your Resume
Your resume is a powerful marketing tool that can help you land an interview. It's an important part of your total pack- age, and must be clear, concise, appealing, and informative. There is no right or wrong way to write your resume. It is a personal statement, and should reflect your unique experience, personality, and style. Your objective is to communicate what makes you stand out as a stellar job candidate.

Why Create a Resume? - Looking good on paper is often the first step to an interview. A resume summarizes your skills, education, activities and on-the- job experiences, and demonstrates how your qualifications match the employer's needs. Resumes should be customized or tailored to a specific job description. Employers typically view a resume for no more than 15 to 30 seconds. In that time, your resume must be clear, concise, and quickly demonstrate how you meet their needs.

B. Employment Correspondence and Communications
Should you write a letter, call, or send an email? There's no single, correct answer. How you get in touch with prospective employers and what you decide to say depends on the circumstances. Current and popular ways to correspond with employers include the cover letter, the telephone, the letter of inquiry, and email. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes the choice is obvious; other times it's not so clear-cut. If you are ever in doubt as to which method would be most appropriate, select the cover letter or the letter of inquiry.

Here are some situations to consider:

• The conditions of application. A job listing may state, "No phone calls, please," which immediately narrows your choices.
• The culture or nature of the industry. E-mail has become a new way of life in many corporations. On the other hand, a letter may be more appropriate when corresponding with someone in a conservative business environment.
• The "closeness" of your relationship with the contact. You may decide to e-mail a recruiter that you "hit it off with" at a career fair and send formal cover letters to the rest. Or, you may feel comfortable picking up the phone to follow-up with an individual you recently met.

As for letters and e-mail messages, it is critical that they be customized to address each employer's specific position requirements. You will soon realize that you have developed some customizable templates that will serve you well with many organizations. Seek the assistance of your campus career center staff for sample letters and regional protocols. And of course, the common, non-negotiable requirement for all methods of correspondence is that it be absolutely free of any grammatical, spelling, language or content errors!

The following information can guide your choice of job search communications.

The Telephone - A phone call may be a good choice once you've established contact with the individual or organization. Be cautious: many busy prospective employers are turned off by unsolicited phone calls. What do you say? It is always a great idea to draft a tentative outline of what you would like to cover in your conversation. Begin by asking if this is a good time to talk. If not, ask for a specific time to call back. Get to the point quickly. Have specific questions or topics in mind just in case the conversation "takes off" so you appear motivated and organized. Always act and sound professional. Make sure you don't appear indifferent, over confident, or lazy.

The E-mail Message - E-mailing is a very popular way of communicating with potential employers. Many employers now accept resumes via e- mail, but sometimes the way it looks on your computer might not be the way the employer views it. To help assure your communication arrives at its destination in the same format that you sent it, you can attach your resume document and paste your resume text into the body of your e-mail message. You may also want to follow up with a print copy by mail to ensure that your resume reaches the potential employer in the correct format. If you doubt the potential success of sending career correspondence via e-mail, choose another method.

The Cover Letter -In most cases, a cover letter should accompany each resume and/or application. It lets you go in depth to support what you mentioned in your resume. As important as it is, a cover letter has a life expectancy of only about eight seconds, but in that short amount of time, it must achieve certain goals:
1. Quickly and clearly point out your skills, knowledge and track record.
2. Explain how with your credentials you can make a tangible contribution to a prospective employer.
3. Persuade the reader to continue on to your resume with positive expectations.

Step IV: Finding Leads and Applying for Jobs
You've taken stock in yourself and targeted the type of employment you will seek. You have your resume(s) and letter templates ready to find their way to the employers of your choice. The fun really begins when you begin sourcing actual position vacancies. Job opportunities arise in many ways and from many sources. By using a number of job search methods, you will increase your chances of identifying career opportunities that are compatible with your career and life goals.

How to Find Job Openings
Industries and organizations with more applicants than positions (e.g., entertainment industry) don't need to advertise job openings. You'll find positions in these career fields through resourcefulness and networking, not by waiting for the perfect job to appear in a newspaper or on an Internet posting. Directories and reference materials at your career center will assist in this phase of your job search. Your career center probably also offers many work- shops that will teach you ways to tap into the "hidden job market."

Growth industries (e.g., high technology and business services) actively recruit and advertise to generate a large pool of candidates. Employers in these fields will frequently list current openings with your career center's listing service, participate in the campus inter- views and career fairs, run ads in major newspapers or trade publications, and post positions on the Internet. The best bet for college seniors is to focus first and foremost on the jobs posted through your campus career services - via the Web, career fairs, campus inter- viewing, or referrals.

Job-Postings Sources

1. Web-based Postings
Your campus career center's job listing service is the recommended site to begin your online job search. These postings are usually exclusive to you as a student of your college or university, featuring companies looking especially for graduates of your institution. The listings are updated continuously with new full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs and internships. Large corporations post many positions, but you will also find unique, one of a kind openings in small and mid-sized organizations.

2. Career Fairs
Whether you are still looking for career ideas or actively pursuing your full-time job, it is definitely worth your while to attend career fairs. The relaxed and friendly "open house" format makes it easy to ask questions, explore career options, develop a network of professional contacts, identify job openings and even land interviews...all in one location and time period.

3. Campus Interviews
Participation in your campus career center's interview system is a no-brainer. Again, the companies involved in tf1is activity are especially interested in students from your school, so you already have a "foot in the door." This is also a convenience for you, as you can review the companies and their requirements, identify those you wish to interview with, and request an interview - all from the comfort of your own campus. They come to you! For details on how the process works at your school, visit your career center's web site. In fact, many schools interview systems are web-based, and all the steps necessary to apply and obtain interviews are conducted on-line, 24-7.

The job interview, simply put, is a two-way exchange of information between you and a prospective employer. The purpose of the interview is to determine whether you are right for the job-and whether the job is right for you. Don't underestimate the importance of the interview. It is the single most important part of the employer's selection process. But there's no need to get sweaty palms or butterflies if you're prepared to package and present your skills and abilities, work and volunteer experience, academic accomplishments and career interests.

The interview is your chance to really shine! Careful preparation is critical to conveying a polished image. Employers will be impressed when you give specific examples of how your skills and achievements are right for the job. You'll stand out if you take the time before the interview to obtain as much information as you can about the organization and the job.

4. Networking
The world revolves around relationships. Studies indicate that up to 80 percent of all positions (the "hidden job market") are obtained through networking and connections. Networking is a skill that will not only be critical to your job search, but will prove valuable throughout your entire career.

What is Networking? The concept of networking is simple: it's letting people know that you're in the job market, describing your interests and the kind of work you prefer, and asking for advice and assistance in achieving your career goals.

Start Making Contacts Now - Everyone you know and everyone you meet is a potential source of career advice and referrals to other individuals. Make a list of whom you know. Include the names of roommates, friends, friends of friends, parents and relatives, classmates, TAs and professors. Add bosses and co-workers (past and present), and people you've met at the health club, while traveling or doing volunteer work. Expand your list with people from social, political, or religious organizations. Include your physician and dentist. Suddenly, your list of connections has grown by leaps and bounds!

Nurturing & Maintaining Your Networks -

• Always respect your contact's name. Get an ok before you use a person's name as a referral to meet someone else.
• Remember the "little" things. Send contacts copies of newsletters, newspaper and magazine articles, reports and program materials that you think will interest them. Include a short, handwritten note than can be as simple as "FYI." Sharing articles that relate to your mutual career interests raise your professional credibility, showing that you keep abreast of industry trends.
• Think of creative ways to keep in touch. Send cards at holiday time. Extend an invitation to lunch for no particular reason. Send a con- gratulatory note to someone who has recently received a promotion or an advanced degree.
• Keep an eye on the clock. Respect other people's busy schedules and make sure you call at appropriate times that are convenient for your contacts.
• Don't overlook the common courtesies. Thank everyone who helps you or provides you-with ideas or leads. It's wise to thank people for leads even if their suggestions don't pan out. Your contacts will appreciate the follow up.

5. Newspaper Advertisements
By analyzing ads, you can unearth valuable information about today's job market. You can learn of current salaries, pick up buzzwords to use in cover letters and at interviews, and find out which skills, qualifications, degrees, and work experiences to emphasize in your resume and cover letter. Some newspapers provide web pages where they include jobs that were advertised in recent editions.

6. Professional and Trade Associations
You'll find international, national, state and local organizations geared to virtually every type of industry, career field, or special interest imaginable. You can usually join them at a student dues rate. These organizations maintain robust websites and publish thousands of magazines, journals and newsletters with information about specific fields or industries that may contain job listings.

7. Employment Services
Employment service firms can be a source of jobs not found elsewhere, and should not be overlooked in your job search campaign. Keep in mind there are good ones and bad ones. Check out their reputation to see if you feel comfortable with having them represent you. Discuss their procedures so there is no overlap where you and they send your resume. Most employment service companies have web sites where you can view current opportunities. Some operate their business exclusively on the Internet.

With all the employment resources available to college seniors through their campuses, pursuing the services of a commercial employment service should not be necessary.

Step V: Following the Interview
It pays to be proactive in your follow up activities. After your job interviews, keep in touch with the interviewers. Even if you don't get a job offer, the relationships you establish can lead to further referrals, more interviews, and ultimately a job offer that truly meets your expectations.

Thank You Letter - Always send a thank you letter following an interview. It is a professional courtesy and demonstrates your consideration, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the opportunity to interview. The letter doesn't have to be long and drawn out. A brief, to-the-point letter can still be effective and can sometimes be the difference between getting the job or not. Check the letter carefully for grammar and spelling, making sure you use the interviewer's correct name and title.

• Thank the interviewer for his or her time and interest in meeting with you and explaining the position.
• Emphasize the skills, strengths, and abilities you can bring to the job.
• Express your interest in the position.

Maintain Contact

• Give the interviewer' about one week to get your letter, and then make a quick phone call to restate your continuing interest in the company. Ask whether you can provide additional information to assist in the decision making process.
• Keep in touch with the interviewer on a regular basis (once a week) until you have been offered the position or have been told that someone else has been chosen.
• Hang in there! If someone else is selected and you felt that you had good rapport with the interviewer, continue to maintain contact on a monthly basis. "No" might simply mean they found another candidate who they believe is a better match for that particular position. If the employer knows you are still interested, you may be invited to interview for another position.

Now, of course, the best-case scenario is that you will land a position - congratulations will be in order! But once you have the job offer, what's next? First and foremost, notify your campus career center. You will find their resources very helpful as more research must be done and more strategies must be implemented for this next phase in your quest for a fulfilling career position, including:

• Evaluating job offers
• Negotiating a compensation package
• Transitioning from college to the professional world
• Learning to survive and succeed in your new job
• Planning for long-term personal financial stability

In the meantime, stay focused, informed, organized, and positive during your job search. You will enjoy your career journey and dramatically increase your chances of securing a rewarding career position and fulfilling your career destiny.