Spring Break is Over - 5 Things to do NOW to find a job!

Yep, that time is finally come - you have to get a job. It may be an internship or your first permanent position out of school, but reality has hit. So, what do you do now?

1. Take a breath and take a look. One of the most important things you can do in your job search is to take a moment to explore yourself and the offerings around you. Just because you have a degree in Spanish doesn't mean you can't pursue a job in business. Take a look at the wide variety of positions, companies and career paths that interest you and apply- it never hurts to throw your hat in the ring. Most companies have a wide range of opportunities available- many of which they do not necessarily post on job boards. If you like the company let them know by applying. Many companies look for personality traits and the ability to learn just as much, if not more, than the degree on your diploma. Just apply- it won't hurt.
   
   
2. Take a look at yourself and prepare. Put together a great resume - accurate, complete and reflective of the high caliber candidate you have become. Use your resources - Career Services at your school is on your campus primarily to help you with this quest. Use this valuable resource. Prepare yourself to answer all those cliche questions such as: "Tell me about a time that you failed in a team environment", or, "What are your career goals?" Employers use Interviews as one way to reveal some of your capabilities, thought processes and potential. The best indicator of future performance is past behavior. Since all you have is from birth until now, you may find it difficult to find "mature" examples, so don't make more out of your experiences than there is- don't embellish, but you should be able to pull out some examples of successes, meaningful learning experiences and goals. Try to find the positives about some of your tougher "life lessons". Keep them top of mind during an interview process.
   
   
3. Decide upon your own criteria. You, your time, experience and education are valuable, so determine what you feel are the most important characteristics of the experience/employer/opportunity you would like to wake-up to every morning. Look hard at each employer in whom you have an interest and evaluate them based upon that which is meaningful to you. It should not be difficult to come up with questions to ask an interviewer when you realize that you are evaluating them as seriously as they are interviewing you.
   
   
4. Be considerate. Treat the individuals in the company the way you would like to be treated. Send a thank you letter- not an email- to each interviewer. Do not hound a recruiter, but let them know if you are excited about an opportunity and interested in further consideration. If you have been offered a job but are not interested in a position, let them know in a respectful way. Immediately. They have positions to fill and cannot offer to anyone else until you respond. Do not play games with companies, it will come back to haunt you later.
   
   
5. Make the most of this process. If you have not already, start today. Rarely does anyone ever have the opportunity to be so widely recruited as they have during their college career or upon first graduating. College recruiting is the largest single source of entry-level hires in corporate America. Do not waste this opportunity to see what they have to offer and do not sell yourself short by starting too late to be hired by your employer of choice.