Career Center

An initial occupational choice is made during Step IV. You will begin to preparation for and conducting a job search, and/or apply to graduate/professional school. You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to move into an occupation.

Start by:

•  Learning how to prepare resume and cover letters, and complete employment applications

•  Learning and implementing job search strategies

•  Learning and practicing interviewing skills

•  Researching graduate programs and financial aid packages

•  Create a Job Search Log:

o Make a record of job leads as you begin your job search. Include the following:

§ Name of Organization:

§ Contact's Name:

§ Address/Telephone:

§ Date:

§ Action:

o Where have you found job vacancies in the occupation of your choice?

§ Contact person's name:

§ Address and phone number for the contact person:

§ Date of contact:

§ Actions taken regarding the job opening:

o Sources of Job Leads:  the following list gives suggestions on where you can go to get help in locating job leads:

§ College Placement Offices

§ State Employment Agencies

§ Private Employment Agencies

§ Help Wanted Listings in Newspapers

§ Placing Advertisements Yourself

§ Other Parts of the Newspaper (articles on retirements, promotions, resignations, new businesses, development of a new manufacturing line, etc.)

§ Direct Mail Applications to Employers

§ Personnel and Employment Offices

§ Professional and Trade Organizations

§ Executive Search Firms

§ Career Days or Job Fairs

§ Drop-in Visits to Heads of Companies

§ Telephoning Employers

§ Internships and Co-ops

§ Government and Civil Services

§ The Military

§ Periodical sand Publications

§ Personal Contacts

Competency Areas

•  Demonstrate ability to write correspondence in a coherent, professional manner

•  Communicate verbally in a clear, concise manner

•  Effectively use networking, problem-solving, and decision making to reach career goals

•  Develop budgeting skills in relation to the job search, travel, and relocation

Find out more about competencies.

Strategies For Gaining Competencies

Strategies are those concrete items that lead you to acquiring a specific goal or competency.

•  Work on an academic project with a professor or develop an independent study project

•  Investigate specialty areas within graduate programs; determine strengths and weaknesses of graduate programs

•  Complete applications and the GRE, GMAT, LSAT or other tests required for graduate work

•  Register with Career Planning & Placement Services

•  Review resume with a career counselor or professional in your career choice

•  Develop a budget for the job/graduate school search

•  Enroll in a financial planning course

•  Receive referrals from Career Planning & Placement Services

•  Listen to vacancies via the Vacancy Information Phone Service

The information presented here is copyright (c) 1995 by Career Center
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403. All rights reserved.
Authors: Pam Allen and Ellen Nagy

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