| How many recent graduates are dreading seeing the | | | | professional designation, whatever. Just make |
| family during the summer because you know they | | | | contact. Don't worry if you get voice mail or you |
| will ask? You just know they will ask it - that horrible | | | | don't get an immediate response. People are busy. |
| question, the one that is slightly better than hearing, | | | | It's OK. Most people will respond, even if it's just that |
| "So, when are you gonna settle down and get | | | | they feel flattered that you contacted them in the |
| married?" | | | | first place. Some people will volunteer to help you |
| "So, what you are going to do with your life after | | | | start your career search, some won't. Either way, it |
| graduation?" | | | | doesn't hurt to call or email. At worst, you could get |
| AAAHHH!!!!! | | | | someone who says, "Oh, thanks. Bye." At best, you |
| None of us ever want to hear that. Especially since | | | | could end up with an "in" at the perfect corporation |
| you've finished 12 years of school, 4 years of college, | | | | for which you would give your right arm to work. |
| and quite possibly another couple of years of grad | | | | Tip #3: |
| school/law school/med school. Most of you have | | | | Make lists of companies where you would like to |
| even completed internships in your ideal industry. You | | | | work. Ask around or review your contact lists and |
| don't want to think about a career. Not yet, at least. | | | | see who you know that could help you get there. If |
| You just want one more summer off. Anyways, it | | | | you don't know anyone, do some research. Approach |
| won't be so hard. You'll just go online, post your | | | | it like an assignment. Check out their company |
| resume to any of the online resume banks, and let | | | | website, do a Google search on them, whatever. You |
| the offers start on in, right? | | | | will turn up at least one name. Then, establish |
| WRONG! That's how you would go about to find a | | | | contact. |
| JOB - "Just Over Broke." You know, as in "You'll earn | | | | Tip #4: |
| enough money to remain Just Over Broke for the | | | | DON'T post your resume online. You could end up |
| rest of your life." | | | | with a legitimate opportunity. Most likely, you'll end up |
| You want a career. You wouldn't have wasted the | | | | with a bunch of "Yes, you too can work from home" |
| time and money pursuing a degree (or degrees, as | | | | offers. Or worse, every employment agency in the |
| the case may be) if you didn't. And a person who | | | | area will call you. That is a guaranteed fact. Which |
| wants a career needs to search differently, smarter | | | | leads us to... |
| than the average person. | | | | Tip #5: |
| How do you suppose most people go about | | | | Get to know an executive recruiter in your chosen |
| searching out opportunities? | | | | field. Unlike employment agencies, executive |
| * online resume banks/sites (i.e. Monster.com, | | | | recruiters work most often with the high-end, top |
| CareerBuilder.com, Jobster.com) | | | | shelf companies that are on your "wish list". |
| * Help Wanted ads from the Sunday newspaper | | | | You might be wondering, what's the difference |
| These will succeed in only one thing - finding a JOB. | | | | between an employment agencies and executive |
| I'm sure you are all thinking, "But, Mary, wait! Monster | | | | recruiters? |
| claims that millions of companies use their site!" That's | | | | Employment agencies are hired by lots of smaller, |
| true; however, most of these "millions" of companies | | | | lower-tiered companies to find employees. They tend |
| are employment agencies, or for that matter, anyone | | | | to be more focused on pleasing their clients. These |
| who will pony up the $6,000 +/- that Monster | | | | are the people who search the online career boards, |
| charges them to access resumes - YOUR resumes. | | | | calling everyone. They are, also, the ones that will call |
| And these people are looking to fill JOBS - not assist | | | | you daily with jobs that you are either not qualified |
| you in jumpstarting your career. | | | | for or interested in pursuing. |
| And, before anyone asks, I am not an employment | | | | Executive recruiters are hired by fewer high-end, top |
| agency. I'm an executive recruiter, and I'll discuss the | | | | shelf companies. We're selective about which |
| differences in a bit. | | | | candidates we work with, as well as which companies |
| So, how do you start searching for a career? Well, | | | | with whom we work. We don't represent just |
| that's why I'm here (and in business), to help you | | | | anyone, nor do we search for just any company. We |
| learn to navigate the waters and find your ideal | | | | take the time to get to know our candidates up |
| career, and to not settle for just another JOB. | | | | front. Since we routinely work with the same clients, |
| Tip #1: | | | | we usually know the companies pretty well. So, while |
| Raid Mom and Dad's address book, holiday card list, | | | | we may only call once every couple of weeks, you |
| and Outlook file. Seriously. Go over these lists and | | | | can guarantee that it is something that we believe |
| make your own list of: | | | | would be a good fit for everyone. |
| * Executives | | | | Recruiters will give you career advice, revise your |
| * People who are currently working in your chosen | | | | resume, help sharpen your interview skills, and show |
| field | | | | you how to best sell yourself. We do all of this for |
| * People who are well-connected and always seem | | | | FREE. A good recruiter is paid by the client. There |
| to be "in the know" | | | | should NEVER be a charge to you, the candidate. |
| If you don't know these people personally, pester | | | | All we ask is that you be upfront and honest with us. |
| Mom or Dad for an introduction. Ask if you could call | | | | If you are working with other recruiters, tell us. It's |
| or email this person and use their name ("Hi, Mrs. | | | | not unusual and we would much rather hear about it |
| Jones. My name is Jane Smith. You know my mother, | | | | from you instead of from a client. |
| Kate, from the Cleveland chapter of Dress for | | | | Tip #6: |
| Success. My mother tells me that you are a Senior | | | | Network. Network. Network. Become a member of |
| Manager at Deloitte. I'm finishing my Master's in | | | | professional societies related to your industry. Join |
| Accounting, and I'm planning on sitting for the CPA | | | | young professional clubs. Be an active alumnus at |
| exam within the next year...") | | | | your alma mater. Whatever it takes. Just go out and |
| If you already know these people - Great! You're | | | | meet other professionals. |
| ready for the next step. | | | | Also, join online network groups such as It's free and |
| Email or call them to tell them that you finished your | | | | a great way to connect with others. For those not |
| degree and would like a few minutes of their time. | | | | familiar with LinkedIn, it encourages you to connect |
| Suggest having coffee one morning before work. | | | | with your trusted contacts - which become your first |
| Keep it light and upbeat. Use this meeting as an | | | | degree contacts. Then, the people your first degree |
| "informational" interview. Ask them how the market | | | | contacts know become your second degree |
| is affecting their fields. Do they see many openings | | | | contacts. And the people they know become your |
| at this time? How does their firm go about finding | | | | third degree contacts. In my personal case, I have |
| new employees? Now is NOT the time to ask for a | | | | 1,544 first degree contacts, which provide me with |
| job. Make sure you give them all your personal | | | | 470,500+ second degree contacts, and allow me |
| contact information (if you have a business card, give | | | | access to 4,403,400+ third degree contacts |
| them one - it looks professional.) | | | | worldwide. It's pretty cool to see who everyone |
| After the meeting, send them a handwritten thank | | | | knows, and allows you access to individuals you |
| you note. Trust me on this one. It makes a much | | | | might not otherwise know. And these people may |
| bigger impression than an email. Plus, for whatever | | | | just be the key to starting your career. |
| reason, people are less inclined to toss out a note | | | | While these are not the only ways to start your |
| right away, as opposed to hitting "delete" after | | | | career search, they are the ways that, in my |
| reading an email. And FOLLOW UP with them | | | | professional opinion, are the best. It's been proven |
| periodically. Maybe a quick phone call or email in a | | | | that 80% of people start or advance their careers |
| couple of months. You don't want to pester them, | | | | through "personal contact," be it networking with |
| but you do want to keep them in the loop. | | | | friends or researching and contacting companies |
| Tip #2: | | | | directly or using recruiters. |
| READ. A lot. The Sunday newspaper "business" | | | | So, to sum things up: |
| section. Wall St. Journal. Crain's. Local and professional | | | | 1. Find out who your parents know who can help you |
| trade journals. All are great sources of information. | | | | start your career |
| Most of these sources list new hires, promotions, etc. | | | | 2. Read and make lists of names of people who |
| Keep track of the names of people in your field. | | | | could help you, then contact them |
| Even if they are recent grads themselves and are | | | | 3. Research companies you highly respect and start |
| just starting their careers. In fact, they are great | | | | making contacts |
| sources of information on companies that are hiring. | | | | 4. Don't post your resume online - you most likely will |
| Maybe you see an established person mentioned | | | | not get the type of offers you want and deserve |
| constantly and you feel that they have the career | | | | 5. Work with respected recruiters, they can and will |
| you want. Track down their work email address or | | | | help you get your search started |
| look up their office phone number, and initiate | | | | 6. Network 24/7 |
| contact. Mention that you read about them and their | | | | If you put all these tips to use, you, too, can launch |
| recent promotion, having been awarded a new | | | | a career search and avoid getting just another JOB. |